There is a thawing out, a relaxing of the rules, and it’s just going to grow more relaxed from here on out. It’s happening on the western side of the Lesser Sunda Islands, where you’ll find the Indonesian province of Bali. It’s no longer necessary to use a crowbar to get people from other parts of the world to leave their couches and visit the islands beaches, marine life, and mountain ranges so full of life. In January 2023, 331,912 brave souls in the world decided to leave aside their old ways in search of something different and magical whether it meant going out and partying, surfing, island hopping, doing yoga, or just sitting by a pool and thinking about life.
Bali’s unique ways and benefits also make it a perfect destination for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of all diseases and is also home to a number of hospitals, doctors, and surgeons, Balians and other medical specialist who are prepared to help and treat. Yet, there are still many Iocals and medical tourists who leave the island in search of medical care.
In fact, a total of two million Indonesians prefer to seek medical care in other countries, costing the country 97 trillion Rupiah ($7 billion). This is known as medical tourism: patients are traveling overseas for surgery or other medical care, frequently because it is cheaper or unavailable at home.
Indonesia faces stiff competition from ten other Asian and Pacific nations, all of which have superior medical facilities and medical know-how such as Australia, China, Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and New Zealand.
But several travelers, especially Australians, choose Bali for aesthetic medical and dental care. Many believe Bali’s medical tourism shines beyond hospitals. Harmony, culture and nature is deeply rooted into the Balinese way of life. Its extensive range of traditional remedies for various ailments is expected to keep the balance of medical tourism.
However, when it comes to planning, organizing and delivering personalized healthcare services, Indonesia ranks 9th in Asia Pacific.
Indonesia also ranks 9th when it comes to tools like apps and computer programs as well as systems for covering medical expenses.
Moreover, Indonesia ranks 11th when it comes to account policies, frameworks, partnerships, people, and drives to promote individualized health care.
So, how does Indonesia plan to remain competitive with nearby nations? Currently, the island is getting a big upgrade to its infrastructure and developing its medical institutes.
In fact, a new world-class medical facility is under way in the resort town of Sanur, named the Bali International Hospital. It’s expected to be fully operational by 2024, with the intention of becoming the best healthcare system in the world—modern, efficient, cutting-edge, well-equipped medical facilities with highly trained medical professionals.
The hope is that one day, maybe, Bali will treat more foreign patients and keep others from having to go off-island for care. There is a lot of excitement about it—if foreigners start traveling to Bali for affordable medical treatments, it could mean a big economic boost for the country’s health system.
For the building of this international hospital, IHC is collaborating with Mayo Clinic, a worldwide medical organization based in the United States, by providing advice on the future hospital’s growth, planning, and design. In addition, building design, governance and culture, medical services, quality assurance, and academics in an effort to achieve the highest worldwide standards for quality, patient safety, and patient experience. In the second phase, Mayo Clinic will deliver administrative and operational management consulting services.
The hospital’s structure would encompass 60,000 square meters of covered area divided into four levels with 250 beds, as well as 35 intensive care units, eight operating rooms, and four catheterization labs equipped with advanced diagnostic imaging capabilities.
Mayo Clinic has received the highest honors for the quality of its medical care and services, including World’s Best Hospital since the first Newsweek & Statista Inc. Global List in 2019); US Best Hospital for seven consecutive years; and top-ranked in fourteen medical specialties by US News & World Report. They consistently provide high quality thanks to the efforts of their world-class medical staff, dedicated nurses, and innovative facilities. In its four major sites in the United States – Rochester (Minnesota), Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Jacksonville (Florida) – the Mayo Clinic employs 73,000 people and sees 1.4 million patients annually from all 50 US states and 140 countries. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, was the world’s best hospital in 2022. Patients get unmatched attention. Rochester attracts international patients with its cutting-edge technologies and talented doctors. Doctors run it, unlike other hospitals. Cancer, cardiology, heat surgery, diabetes, and endocrinology are all Mayo Clinic specialties.
This will give the brand-new Bali International Hospital a leg up on the competition and provide prospective patients with piece of mind, since they will know that their medical practitioner is affiliated with a worldwide leader in the medical field.
Bali International Hospital’s (BIH) purpose is admirable, but advancing the island of Bali’s standing as Indonesia’s preeminent medical tourism destination requires the trust and collaboration of provincial and central governments.
Special visas are being used to attract foreign medical professionals of the highest caliber, allowing for the steady transfer of knowledge and technology.
Meanwhile Bali’s wellness industry continues to thrive.