How does the health care system work in Indonesia?

• Indonesia has a two-part health care system with public and private options.
• Expats can use both systems, and have to pay for both. 
• More and more hospitals, clinics and medical facilities are being added in Indonesia. 
• The quality of care varies widely, with modern hospitals in major cities such as Jakarta, Bandung and Bali, and limited facilities in rural areas.
• Access to medicine may be different from what you are used to. Some medicines that you get only by prescription in your home country can be picked up here and vice versa. 
• In an emergency you can call 118, but the public healthcare system ambulances are not of the quality you would like, and in remote areas are even completely absent. So as an expat, it is wise to have the contact information of the nearest private clinic so they can send an ambulance. 

How does the public healthcare system work in Indonesia?

• Indonesia has had a national health insurance program called Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial (BPJS) since 1968. This system is designed to provide universal health care and is supported by a national insurance program called Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN). 
• As an expat, you can use the public health care system, provided you can prove that you have lived in the country for at least 6 months. 
• Although the quality of care is slowly increasing, Indonesia is known for the low quality of the public health care system-for example, there are too few well-trained doctors and infant mortality is also high. Many good doctors from the public system trade their jobs for jobs in private healthcare in, for example, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur. 
• The care is often overburdened and of lower quality than in the private sector. It is mostly for basic needs. Also, people usually do not speak English. 
• For locals, public care is cheap, but expats are usually not covered and must pay for it themselves or use private insurance.

How does the private healthcare system work in Indonesia?

• Expats generally choose private care because of more modern facilities, better hygiene and English-speaking doctors. International hospitals such as Siloam and BIMC (Bali International Medical Center) are popular.
• Costs are higher than public care but relatively affordable compared to Western standards.
• Yet private care also has limitations. 
• So for advanced treatments, expats often rely on hospitals in Singapore or Malaysia. So it is important that medical evacuation is covered by your insurance. 

How is the general practitioner arranged in Indonesia?

• Indonesia does not have an extensive general practitioner system. Patients usually visit a specialist or clinic directly.
• In large cities and expat areas, private clinics such as SOS International are available, offering basic care and referrals.

How is the dentist arranged in Indonesia?

• Indonesia has a large number of private dental clinics, especially in cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali. Standards are high in modern clinics, and English-speaking dentists are available.
• The cost of dental care is considerably lower than in Europe or North America, making Indonesia a destination for dental tourism.
• Public dental care is also available through BPJS, but the quality is limited.

How is the pregnancy care arranged in Indonesia?

• If you are about to have a baby in Indonesia, it is important to know that the facilities of public health institutions are generally not of sufficient quality and infant mortality is very high compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. 
• In public institutions there is a lot of prenatal care, but almost no postnatal care. 
• Expats usually use private hospitals or international clinics for prenatal care and postnatal care. Private hospitals offer modern facilities for deliveries. However, the cost of these is high. 
• In addition, many expats choose the services of a private midwife, as this help usually does not come from the clinics. 
• In Indonesia, cesarean section is preferred to natural birth because it is seen as less risky. So make sure you discuss well with your doctor what you want. 
• The quality of childbirth monitoring often leaves much to be desired. From a cultural perspective, people are reluctant to use physical touch. 
• Breastfeeding is strongly encouraged and supported by campaigns, but the choice of bottle feeding is also respected.
• Indonesia still has challenges with maternal and infant mortality in rural areas, although the situation in urban hospitals is much better.
• Another fun fact: Indonesia began the village midwife program (bidan di desa) in 1989 in cooperation with international organizations - women gave birth at home with the help of minimally trained traditional midwives (dukun bayi). The number of local midwives particularly increased tremendously and is now hugely important to local, remote communities. 

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Indonesia?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Indonesia?

• Living in Indonesia is pretty safe, but not without risks - think earthquakes, floods, petty crime and in very rare cases - terrorism. 
• There is a lot of petty crime. For example, motorcycle robberies are common. So pay close attention to personal belongings, make sure your bag hangs securely around your shoulders and avoid walking down the street with your phone in your hand. 
• Credit card and ATM fraud are also common. So as an expat, make sure you keep a close eye on your bank accounts and use cash to pay as much as possible. 
• Political protests are usually peaceful, but avoid large crowds. 
• Respect local culture, especially in conservative areas. Avoid public drunkenness and be careful about expressing your political opinions. 
• The country is beautiful but at the same time prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and floods. Inform yourself especially about disaster plans in your area. 

What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Indonesia?

• There are quite a few tropical diseases, many of which are transmitted by mosquitoes. Protect yourself well, especially in rural areas and during the rainy season. 
• Tap water is not safe to drink. It is also recommended not to cook with it. 
• There islead a lot of air pollution in large cities. This can lead to worsening of existing respiratory problems. 
• Indonesia is generally very hot and tropical. Many new residents suffer from sunburn, sunstroke and dehydration. 
• Pay attention to food hygiene, Bali Belly is a well-known phenomenon. 

What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Indonesia?

• Roads in Indonesia range from reasonable in cities to poorly maintained in rural areas. Traffic jams are a major problem in cities such as Jakarta.
• Scooters are the most popular means of transportation, but traffic is chaotic and dangerous for inexperienced drivers.
• Road accidents are also common. Hiring a local driver is the safest option for driving around. 
• Urban areas have improved transportation options such as MRT and bus networks. For expats, apps such as Grab and Gojek are popular for transportation.
• Traffic rules are often ignored, and there are many traffic accidents. Driving after sunset is not recommended, especially in rural areas.
• Indonesia is a large country and safety varies greatly by area. In Papua and West Papua, for example, it is more dangerous for visitors than other parts of the country because of political instability. In addition, terrorist attacks occur and areas where tourists frequent are often targeted. 

Which work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Indonesia?

• Is the trip to Indonesia and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Indonesia if you are going to live there for a while?

• It is mandatory to be properly insured if you want a long-term visa for Indonesia. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.