DENPASAR – Bali has been known as international leisure destination that offers natural beauty and unique tradition. The resort island, however, would develop another tourism diversification that is rarely known by domestic tourist : medical tourism.
“Our resources are quite qualified with 280 hospitals that have been fully accredited and 30 hospitals among them have been internationally accredited,” said Putu Deddy Suhartawan, General Manager of Indonesia Medical Tourism Board (IMTB), in a meeting with Vice Governor of Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati on Friday (Nov 20).
Bali has continued to improve its medical facilities and services since the Bali Bombing tragedy in 2002 until now during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s not surprising that many foreigners are willing to try medical services while on vacation here,” Deddy emphasized.
There various types of health services that has usually been accessed by tourist in Bali. Range from cosmetic related services such as plastic surgery, face implants, face lifts, liposuction to those services that are non-invasive. The number can reach 60 patients per month with an income up to Rp 1.2 billion.
For that reason, Deddy said he would working hard to echoing this medical tourism in Bali. It is aimed to make Bali not only known as a cultural tourism destination, but also for medical tourism that can be enjoyed by both international and domestic visitor.
Deputy Bali Governor Tjokorda Artha Ardhana Sukawati admitted that Bali has a quite large potency to develope health or medical tourism. Sukawati said that medical tourism has became a new tourism trend that combines health and entertainment. He also agreed that Bali has tremendous potential as a global health tourism destination, especially in terms of body wellness. “There are around 3,200 wellness centers in Bali such as traditional herbal health centers and spas,” said the Ubud Palace prominent figur that is popularly known as Cok Ace.
Cok Ace said was hoping IMTB’s desire to develop medical tourism in Bali could run smoothly. Bali Provincial Government , he said, would support the idea. “The only thing that needs to get attention is how to examine our potential,” he said. (kanalbali/RLS)
