Indonesia wants to become a health tourism destination

The number of Indonesians seeking medical treatment abroad in 2012 saw a significant increase from 2006 when nearly 350,000 people went overseas and spent $500 million. In 2012, it is estimated that 600,000 Indonesians spent $1.4 billion on medical treatment overseas. The increase suggests that they go overseas for quality and availability of care as much as for cost reasons. This is why the key destinations are Malaysia and the now high priced Singapore, with very few going to low priced India.

While Singapore is still a favourite medical destination for the well-heeled Indonesian, the majority of Indonesians, especially from Sumatra favour Malaysia. Indonesians from Sumatra form the majority of overseas patients at in Malacca and (MHTC) website is available in Bahasa Indonesian, and Malaysia targets the country.

Tourism minister Mari Elka Pangestu claims that Indonesia can become an international health destination because of its abundant natural beauty, with a huge potential to attract tourists looking for low-cost health and medical care, “Indonesia’s potential to become a health tourism destination is big because Indonesia has many attractive places. Indonesia has geographical proximity to many wealthy countries, such as Australia and China. There is much local and traditional wisdom on healing all measure of ailments. Indonesia has been named as the best spa destination in the world. A well-established health tourism industry can bring in revenue not only from foreign health tourists but also from our people who travel abroad to seek medical treatment.”

The response of health minister Nafsiah Mboi to the record number going overseas for medical treatment was, “We will start with action. We will immediately set up working groups and an action plan. The government has identified four hot spots in which to begin developing health tourism: Bali, Jakarta, Makassar and Manado.The four areas were chosen not only because the health facilities there are already advanced but also because there are many things to see. As well as spas, Indonesia also has potential in the medical sector. The country boasts many specialist doctors with good international reputations, but many people are not aware of that due to a lack of promotion. To attract patients from overseas, the government will have to collaborate with travel agents and increase cooperation between hospitals, clinics and spas. More Indonesian hospitals need international accreditation from the Joint Committee International.”

If medical tourism potential is large, why are 600,000 Indonesians going overseas? Nafsiah Mboi’s answer is: “Attitudes need to change so that those Indonesians seeking medical treatment will make the effort to find that treatment at home. I often wonder why Indonesian people like to get check-ups in Singapore. What is it that we don’t have? It turns out the answer is because of the service and the mental attitude. We don’t have any pride to serve. In Singapore, doctors are willing to spend time to listen to patients’ complaints and discuss the various medical procedures that are available.”

The Ministry of health and the Ministry of Tourism have signed an agreement for the development of health tourism. The government will work with public and private stakeholders, including hospital representatives, spa providers, and health associations, to create the Indonesia Wellness and Healthcare Tourism (IWHT) working team, which will jointly design a work plan to follow up the agreement.