In Reply to: Doctor in Bali posted by Lisa B on Sunday, 30. September 2001 at 18:00 Bali Time:
Bali is The Island of the Gods, The Island of Smiles, Paradise Island, and many other wonderful, laudable things – but it is generally a ‘third world' country and if something goes wrong and you need help then you need to know where to go. Some of the following information might be better placed at the end of this file where it's not so ‘in your face', but that's where it will not be seen and therefore it might as well not be in the file at all.
It's here where you can find it in case you need it, it's not here to put you off travelling to Bali, which is probably safer than travelling in many ‘first world' countries.
1. If you get sick your hotel will call a reputable doctor to come and see you.
Don't delay and risk ruining your holiday. You've got insurance – use it.
2. PHONE NUMBERS –
* Police 110
* Fire 113
* Ambulance 118
* Search & Rescue 111 / 115 / 151
3. Bali International Medical Center. On the airport By Pass road opposite Matahari Tuban Plaza in Tuban (not Kuta). Ph 761 263. Only 5 mins by taxi from Kuta BMIC employs expatriate western staff from around the world. Only local doctors are allowed to practise in Indonesia. BIMC has full emergency/ambulance & diagnostic equipment, radiology department and on-line medical consultation services via video conferencing. International Travel Insurance policies accept BMIC. http://www.bimcbali.com .
4. International SOS Medika Klinik Bali, (764 515), Jl By Ngurah Rai 24X, KUTA.
5. Ubud Clinic – (24 hour service) Jl Raya Ubud No 36, Camphuan. 974 911.
6. Bali Blood Bank. Run by Red Cross. Severe shortages of negative blood as Indonesians are virtually all positive. Help yourself and other tourists, DONATE! Ph 227224 or 247 739 in Bali. Mobile service comes to you! Be a devil – donate by the pool.
Supported by Bali Rotary clubs. Only sterile, disposable needles are used.
7. Doctor – Dr Coney, Gp, Jl Bypass Sanur. 288 128.
8. Dentist – Ritjie Rihartinah, Jl Pratama No 81, Nusa Dua. 771 324.
9. Chiropractor – Dr J Taylor, Jl Kajeng No35, Ubud. 974 393.
10. Paediatrician – Dr Sugita, Jl Tuban, Kuta. 751 301.
11. CONSULATES:
Australia, Canada & New Zealand. Jl Prof Yamin No 4, Renon, Denpasar. Ph (62-361) 235 092, Fax (62-361) 231 990. E-Mail ausconbali@denpasar.wasantara.net.id
British – Jl Mertassi N0 2 Sanur. Ph 235 092.
Dutch – Jl H R Resuna Said Kav, S-3, 12950 Kuningan, Jakarta. Ph (021) 525 1515.
French – Bypass Road No 35X, Sanur. 285 485.
German – Jl Pantai Karang No 17 Sanur. 288 535.
Japan – Jl Raya Puputan, Renon. 227 628.
Swiss & Austria – Jl Pura Bagus Teruna, Legian. 751 735.
Sweden & Finland – Jl Segara Ayu, Sanur. 288 407.
USA – Jl Hayam Waruk No 188, Denpasar. 233 605.
12. ‘Bali Belly' is a pain in the - - - -, for at least 24 hours.
There are many remedies recommended but it's best not to get it in the first place.
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER FROM THE TAPS!
Be especially careful of this when your guard is down – in the shower and when cleaning your teeth. You must however drink adequate water or you will dangerously dehydrate in the tropical climate. Safe, bottled water is cheap and readily available virtually all over the island. You know you're on a good thing when you see the locals doing it!
Imodium is a common clinical remedy (A$2.00app; take 2 tablets straight away and 1 next morning) although some say it's only for situations where you must travel as it can interfere with the bodily functions and inhibit the flushing out the bacteria and toxins. These antagonists would say that Pepto-bismol is a better way to go. Another remedy is Norrit, little black tablets available at Matahari Supermarkets in Bali for Rp5500.
Some travellers swear by lots of charcoal tablets from a local ‘Apotic' (chemist or drugstore).
A recent recommendation with solid (no pun intended) support is Raspberry juice cordial – with at least 30% or preferably more real juice in the cordial. Mix it strong – 25% cordial: 75% bottled water. In Oz, Coles stock Sunraysia Premium Raspberry Delight – 80% - A$7.99 for 375 ml.
Drinking lots of water, light teas, perhaps a little boiled rice will do no harm. Most would agree that if you are feverish and vomiting with stomach cramps and the squirts get a doctor and have a shot in the bum, and no arguments. If you vomit after having prescribed tablets cut them in half and have lighter dose twice as often.
13. Carry toilet paper with you everywhere in Bali even if you don't have Bali Belly. The chance of you finding a good, clean, comfortable, useable, flush toilet in Bali is slim. The chances of you finding good, clean, comfortable, useable toilet paper is almost zero!
14. HEALTH PROTECTION.
"Aquaear" for tropical fungus ear infection prevention.
15. Dermasoft Lotion, disinfectant, instant dry for hands or a waterless antibacterial handwash, available in the Matahari supermarket in Kuta. Has moisturiser and is self-drying. 100ml tube. Use it before eating especially if you've been handling money – which you will ALWAYS be doing, I guarantee!
16. Aqium Gel. Waterless hand wash. Not sticky. 70 & 375 ml containers. $3.95 and $6.95 from pharmacies in Oz.
17. Beware Cane mites from chairs etc if allergic.
18. Beware of temporary tattoos. Many people have severe reactions to the chemical cocktail called PDD which is toxic and used instead of real henna and which can cause liver and kidney problems, most severe in children. Refer to http://www.hennapage.com/henna/warnings.html, or http://sphosting/reverendbunny/mediappd.htm. Cortisone cream applied regularly gives some relief. Researchers in Germany have also uncovered a link between temporary tattoos and permanent, lifelong dermatitis. (3D World Magazine issue #569). Sufferers remain allergic to some metals, detergents and foods.
Be even more careful of permanent Tattoos. Ensure that you un-seal any sterile equipment and that you see the gun sterilised before use. Insist on new ink/dyes as these also transmit Hep C.
19. Do not risk unprotected sex in Bali. Condoms are available. Many travellers recommend bringing your own.
20. Mosquitos. Cover up at dusk. Baygon electric repellent dispensers at night. Cheap in Bali.
21. Cuts and scratches. TREAT! Try local Teih Ta Yao Gin Chinese medicine as dressing. If you want to take something with you try ‘Savlon". Locals love to get the remainder when you leave.
22. Wet Ones. Anti-bac wipes. Check supermarkets, sometimes in baby section.
23. ‘Autan' repellant available in Bali at Matahari stores or ‘Apotics". Pink tube or lotion in pink bottle. Smells better to humans than Aerogard. Ask restaurants to light a mosquito coil and put it under your dinner table. Carry a stick of dry ‘Repel' in your bum bag. (ps. Put a small flash light in there too, just for the normal power failures and for walking home in poorly lit streets with un-even surfaces.) Dusk and dawn are the bad times for mozzies. RID and OFF are also good. ‘Skin-So-Soft' by Avon also works for some. Generally repellants containing DEET are good although some smell so bad that humans are repelled also. Body chemistry seems to react differently to different products. If you are bitten despite all your precautions then use ‘Soov' gel, Australian made by Ego Pharmaceutical, with antiseptic and anaesthetic properties, it's magic!
24. Ultra Swim shampoo, or Aloe Rid (by Nexus), for getting pool chlorine out of your hair.
25. SUNSCREEN – If you don't believe you can be sunburnt you've never been to Bali. Most brands of sun screen are available, but not cheaply, in Bali supermarkets. Use nothing less than 15+ - 30+ and more are necessary, re-applied frequently on any bare skin. Really it's best not to have any bare skin. Take a look at the burnt boobs on Kuta beach any day. How nightly activities are pleasurable is beyond comprehension. Farmland 15+ in pump pack is good. Includes moisturiser. Also good for massages, particularly with a little Tiger Balm or Silver Clove ointment. Most local oils are just coconut bastes for cooking flesh and are difficult to wash off.
Absolute Magic, Bingo, also Rid+ with anti-mosquito agent for sand fly infested evenings.
This is an extract from the file linked below.
I hope that you all have a great holiday.