New Sea Ambulance Service Launched To Serve Bali Tourists On Nusa Islands 

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Bali’s safety record is a topic that has regularly come under scrutiny. While the vast majority of the more than 7 million international tourists who visit the island each year have a safe and comfortable stay, when emergencies happen, things can escalate quickly.

The outlying islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are becoming increasingly popular with tourists. As these islands become sought out by more people, the number of emergencies involving tourists also increases, from major illnesses to major injuries.

This is why the newly launched sea ambulance operated by the Nusa Medica Clinic Group is expected to accelerate health services for both the community and tourists in Nusa Penida as well as Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

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Speaking to reporters at the inauguration of the new sea ambulance, the Regent of Klungkung, Made Satria, said the location and terrain of the islands have long proven a challenge for providing a full spectrum of public services, including health.

Regent Satria shared, “The presence of this Sea Ambulance will further strengthen our ability to provide faster healthcare services, particularly in Nusa Penida District.”

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He noted that responses to health emergencies in Nusa Penida have long been hampered by distance and time, especially when patients require special medical services or procedures that are not available in the archipelago. Regent Satria shared that the local government had been working on designing a similar program, but it had not been able to get it over the line due to budget limitations.

He shared his hopes that the new sea ambulance service can sync up with the local government medical system so that health services in Nusa Penida are faster and of higher quality.

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Speaking at the event, Gde Yudha Kurniawan, Operations Director of PT. Nusa Medica Assistama, said the service is intended for local residents and tourists who require advanced and urgent medical treatment.

He shared, “The main goal of the Sea Ambulance is to expedite the patient referral process from clinics or primary medical facilities to referral hospitals. We provide this service for both local residents and international tourists, thereby simultaneously supporting the tourism industry in terms of medical service readiness.”

The sea ambulances are equipped with medical devices to support patient conditions during the evacuation process, including ventilators, patient monitors, oxygen, and other supporting medical equipment. The ambulance service covers a number of routes, including Nusa Lembongan-Sanur, Nusa Lembongan-Padang Bai, Nusa Penida-Sanur, and Nusa Penida-Padang Bai. The service coverage can also be extended to Gili Air and Gili Trawangan by adjusting the referral needs and shipping conditions.

Bali is on a mission to become a world-leading medical tourism destination. While the sea ambulances will specialise in emergency care, medical providers across the province are working to level up services all the time. The Bali International Hospital is a prime example of the massive investment in health, medical and medical tourism infrastructure.

The Bali International Hospital is in the heart of Sanur, which has, over the last few years, been transformed into a Special Economic Zone for Medical Tourism. The hospital facility offers 255 beds and has dedicated units for cardiology, oncology, neurology, gastroenterology, hepatology, and orthopedics. There is a full intensive care unit and an emergency ward.

Bali International Hospital’s vision has been communicated clearly from the start, and the new medical facility has shared that it will work “to revolutionize healthcare in Indonesia, setting new standards of medical excellence and patient care that serve our community, support national progress, and attract health seekers from around the world.”

What is clear is that whether traveling for elective treatments as part of a medical tourism program or traveling on vacation, leisure, or business, all tourists must have fully comprehensive travel insurance that includes emergency medical care.