What to do when things go wrong
You are having the time of your life in paradise. One night u wake up and feel like your tummy is about to explode and you’re puking your guts out. The Bali belly virus has got you good!
Another scenario: you’re riding your scooter, minding your own business and suddenly some retarded kook hits you and you smash your head on the ground. No need to say you’re gonna have to go to the hospital. What now?
I know this post isn’t very appealing but I think this is something we should talk about regardless.
So long story short: what to do when things go wrong and where you should turn for medical assistance.
FIRST THINGS FIRST: TRAVEL INSURANCE
Make sure to get a decent travel insurance when you go to Bali (or any other destination). I can’t stress this enough.
Keep in mind that If you end up at the hospital as a tourist, they will charge you more than a local. Much more. Also in case you would need to get surgery, they will not start surgery before you pay the whole amount., even if it’s super urgent. Or so I’ve been told and I read a whole bunch of stories about this.
If you would have a scooter accident and you were not wearing a helmet at that time, YOU ARE NOT COVERED BY YOUR INSURANCE. So grow up, and wear a helmet. I don’t care if it doesn’t look cool.
BALI BELLY
Bali Belly is a thing that happens to a lot of tourists. Another term commonly used to describe Bali Belly is Traveler’s Diarrhea. It can always happen, even when you are cautious. But if you want de reduce the risk:
Avoid food and beverages from street vendors.
Eat only foods that are cooked and still hot, or fruits and vegetables that you peel yourself.
Do not drink untreated water, including ice cubes in drinks.
Brush your teeth with bottled water.
In case the virus gets you, you should:
drink a lot of fresh coconuts (they contain electrolytes which you will be needing. It’s also super hydrating)
go to the pharmacy and ask for charcoal tablets
Eat a lot of rice and stay away from fruit and spicy food
If you’re not feeling better after 3 days, go see a doctor or go to the hospital. They will hook u up with antibiotics or IV fluids.
Another cure I recently came across was the ‘Hangover Lounge Bali’. They offer cures for, yes, hangovers (they will use IV fluids to get your body hydrated again'). But they also have medical staff available to treat you when you’re ill, have Bali Belly etc.. You can go to their clinic or they can even come to your accommodation with treatments. This is their website.
BEST HOSPITALS IN BALI
Siloam private hospitals (can be pretty pricey)
BIMC private hospitals (the ones in Kuta, Seminyak and Nusa Dua are one of the best hospitals in Bali and they focus almost exclusively on tourists so all doctors and nurses speak English. Most insurance companies have a tie-up with them so you probably don’t have to pay upfront and the hospital will directly bill your insurance company.) They have locations all over the island. Can be pricey.
Prima Medika hospital: This hospital has great reviews and is also less expensive as the ones mentionned above but with the same services! Prima Medika Hospital is one of the private hospitals in Denpasar, Bali and has been operated since 2002.The services in Prima Medika Hospital supported by medical specialist who were competent in their field, with high dedicated nurses and medical supports who came from various multi-disciplinary, therefore they could provide collaborative, comprehensive and great medical services for every patient.
BEST DENTISTS IN BALI
ARC Dental clinic, Kuta
Sunset Dental, Seminyak
Bali International Dental Centre, Denpasar
BIMC Dental centre, Nusa Dua
EMERGENCY KIT
Bring your own emergency kit from home when you travel. I know this is a no-brainer, but still worth mentioning.
You will feel much safer and at ease when you have your own medication and pills from back home.
Also, whenever you get a cut, even if it’s super small, ALWAYS use desinfectant spray. Wounds get infected really quickly in Bali. Especially reef cuts. If you don’t have desinfectant, rubbing lemon on to your cuts will do the trick too. I don’t recomment this but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures ;)
SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT MALARIA IN BALI?
As in every tropical destination, Bali also has its share of insects and mosquitos. So I would suggest to use mosquito repellent at night. In Bali itself, there is no malaria or at least very, very low risk. Things change when you explore islands as Lombok, Flores, Sumba, Sumbawa, etc..
However, be cautious for ‘dengue fever’, which is carried by mosquito’s. It’s a pretty serious illness and has symptoms as high fever, muscle pain, headaches and can be pretty dangerous. Chances of getting stung mostly happen during raining season (November - March) or when it’s really humid. But don’t let this scare you! Just protect yourself at night with some repellent with DEET and you’ll be fine!
USE PROTECTION
Let’s talk about sex, baby.
I recently read an article in the Bali Sun saying that according to the latest data, Bali ranks second in Indonesia for the highest rates of HIV/AIDS rates in all of Indonesia.
According to the Bali Provincial Health Office, the rates of infection are high due to unsafe sexual intercourse. Of the 22,000 cases of HIV/AIDS recorded only 859 were from intravenous drug abuse.
Of those infected over 76% were heterosexuals engaging in unsafe sexual intercourse.
With a high population of travelers, booming prostitution industry and high levels of young people partying, the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Stay safe!
xxx
