In Reply to: what to do if i get Bali belly posted by John on Wednesday, 31. October 2001 at 19:11 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 Pass Ngurah Rai 24X, KUTA. Almost directly across from BMIC (see above). Ph764 556. 24 hour alarm centre, Ph756 768. Global HQ is in Singapore. They have a branch in Sydney (Aust) at 4 Martin Place, Ph9372 2400.
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 your hotel shower and when cleaning your teeth. Keep bottled water in your bathroom at all times. Purchase your own if you are in a cheaper hotel that does not supply it. 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!
Wash your hands after visiting the toilet or handling money particularly. See ‘HEALTH PROTECTION' below.
Don't drink using straws as they are washed and re-used in some places.
Don't buy bottled drinks that are kept cool in ice/water slurry cold chests. Purchase only from refrigerated cabinets.
Ice in the tourist areas is made under government control and should be safe in drinks.
Imodium is a common clinical remedy (A$2.00app; take 2 tablets straight away and 1 next morning).
Some say this is only a ‘stop gap' (is that a good choice of words?) 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%, preferably more, real juice in the cordial. Mix it strong – 25% cordial: 75% bottled water. Some people have a neat swig every morning before breakfast. In Oz, Coles stock Sunraysia Premium Raspberry Delight – 80% - A$7.99 for 375 ml. Also available from most supermarkets in Bali.
100% concentrate is available from Bramble Farm who will post you a supply COD – Di Benson at brambleb@bigpond.com. If you get it, 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. (You do have travel insurance – don't you!) If you vomit after having prescribed tablets cut them in half and take the lighter dose twice as often. See also ‘Eating' and ‘Drinking in Safety' below.
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. Wet Ones. Anti-bac wipes. Check supermarkets, sometimes in baby section.
There is more advice at the limk below.
Enjoy your trip.