Indonesian government eyes Bali, Labuan Bajo to develop medical tourism industry
Indonesia's first integrated medical tourism complex is expected to launch in Bali later in June. PHOTO: AFP
JAKARTA - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin is considering popular tourist destinations such as Bali and Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara as strategic locations to develop Indonesia's medical tourism industry, amid efforts to reduce the number of citizens seeking medical treatment abroad.
Mr Budi said that each year, an estimated one million to two million Indonesians travel abroad for medical treatment, primarily to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Straits Times
Europe bakes in summer's first heatwave as continent warms
A tourist holds an umbrella to protect from the sun during her visit at the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill in Athens, on June 27. PHOTO: REUTERS MARSEILLE - Southern Europeans braced on June 28 for the first heatwave of the northern hemisphere summer, as climate change pushes thermometers on the world's fastest-warming continent increasingly into the red. Temperatures are set to rise to 37 deg C in Rome, driving the Eternal City's many tourists and pilgrims to the Vatican alike towards the Italian capital's 2,500 public fountains for refreshment. With residents of the southern French port city of Marseille expected to have to cope with temperatures flirting with 40 deg C, authorities in city ordered public swimming pools to be made free of charge to help residents beat the Mediterranean heat. Two-thirds of Portugal will be on high alert on June 29 for extreme heat and forest fires, with 42 deg C expected in the capital Lisbon, while visitors to – and protesters against – Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos's June 27 wedding in Venice likewise sweltered under the summer sun. 'There is no wind, a lot of humidity, we are sweating, and I'm suffocating at night,' Ms Alejandra Echeverria, a 40-year-old Mexican tourist to Venice, told AFP on June 28. 'I try not to think about it, but I drink a lot of water and never stay still, because that's when you get sunstroke,' Ms Sriane Mina, an Italian student, told AFP on June 27. Scientists have long warned that humanity's burning of fossil fuels is heating up the world with disastrous consequences for the environment, with Europe's ever-hotter and increasingly common blistering summer heatwaves a direct result of that warming. The heatwave is forecast to become even more intense on June 29. Spain, which has in past years seen a series of deadly summer blazes ravaging the Iberian peninsula, is expecting peak temperatures in excess of 40 deg C across most of the country. Outdoor work ban According to the Spanish meteorological agency, temperatures may even register 42 deg C in some areas, including the Guadalquivir, Guadiana, and Tagus regions. The past three years have been the hottest in Spain's history. With peaks of 39 deg C expected in Naples and Palermo, Sicily has ordered a ban on outdoor work in the hottest hours of the day, as has the Liguria region in northern Italy. The country's trade unions are campaigning to extend the measure to other parts of the country. In Nice, on the French Riviera, nearly 250 fans have been distributed to schools over the past two weeks to help cope with the heat. The heatwave comes hot on the heels of a series of tumbling records for extreme heat, including Europe's hottest March ever, according to the EU's Copernicus climate monitor. As a result of the planet's warming, extreme weather events including hurricanes, droughts, floods and heatwaves like this weekend's have become more frequent and intense, scientists warn. By some estimates 2024, the hottest year in recorded history so far, saw worldwide disasters that cost more than US$300 billion (S$383 billion). AFP Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Straits Times
Malaysian injured while climbing Indonesia's Mount Rinjani
This is the second incident involving a foreigner within a week on the famous volcano. PHOTO: ADVENTURE QUESTS LOMBOK – A Malaysian climber became the latest victim of an accident on Indonesia's Mount Rinjani after reportedly falling while heading towards Lake Segara Anak on June 27. According to Malaysian newspaper Sinar Harian, the victim sustained serious injuries, including a fractured hip and head wounds, after falling approximately 200m before reaching the bridge to the popular site. Mr Yarman, head of the Mount Rinjani National Park Centre, confirmed the incident, which occurred around 2.20pm local time, and stated that a rescue operation was launched immediately upon receiving initial information. 'Initial information indicates the victim was still able to walk slowly despite injuries to the leg and a head impact. Our team was dispatched to the location to provide emergency treatment and conduct the rescue operation,' he told the media on June 28. He stated that the rescue procedure was carried out according to established safety standards, including providing initial treatment at the location before the victim was transferred to the nearest control post, such as the Sembalun Post. If further treatment is required, the victim will be referred to health facilities like Bhayangkara Mataram Hospital or the Community Health Centre in the Sembalun area. Mr Yarman also advised all climbers to be more cautious and not to underestimate the challenges when climbing Mount Rinjani. 'Rinjani's topography is very challenging. Climbers need to be careful, not push themselves if tired, and rest or seek help immediately if they encounter difficulties,' he stressed. This is the second incident involving a foreigner within a week on the famous volcano. On June 21, a Brazilian climber, Ms Juliana Marins, 27, died after falling while climbing to Rinjani's summit, raising concerns about the safety of the climbing routes. 'Safety must be the top priority in every journey,' Mr Yarman added. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Straits Times
France bans smoking in beaches, in parks and bus shelters from June 29
Some 75,000 people are estimated to die from tobacco-related complications each year in France. PHOTO: REUTERS France bans smoking in beaches, in parks and bus shelters from June 29 PARIS - France will ban smoking on beaches and in parks, public gardens and bus shelters from June 29, the government said. The decree, published in the official government gazette on June 28, will also ban smoking outside libraries, swimming pools and schools, and is aimed at protecting children from passive smoking. The decree did not mention electronic cigarettes. Violaters of the ban will face a fine of €135. 'Tobacco must disappear from places where there are children,' Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin had said in May, underscoring 'the right of children to breathe pure air'. Cafe terraces are excluded from the ban. Some 75,000 people are estimated to die from tobacco-related complications each year in France. According to a recent opinion survey, six out of 10 French people (62 per cent) favour a smoking ban in public places. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
