indonesia travel health advices Archives

“Clever” Indonesian medical system

During my stay in Indonesia I already had some “meetings” with the Indonesian medical system. I had some problems with a skin, bees bite and long lasting bronchitis (I tried to get well almost 2 months). But all things that happen and treatment that I got in different places it was quite ok, even if I (like European) didn’t sometimes understood the system – why it’s made so complicated.

But yesterday, when I needed to make my last vaccine from Hepatitis B (like 2 first vaccines I had time to make before coming to Indonesia) I was totally surprised of Indonesian medical system.

So here is the story :)

We came to the clinics at 8:00 am, after couple of minutes waiting in the reception I was registered with a doctor (that starts to work this day only at 10:00 am and works only 2 hours). First strange thing if really only one doctor in whole big clinic can work with the vaccinations? Let it be, we were already there and I wanted to finish this vaccination question as soon as possible, so let’s wait :).

We went to the section, where we need to register for a line to that doctor. Like it’s quite early, I thought that I will be one of the firsts in the line. A little bit before 10:00 am, we already sitting in the front of doctors doors. 10.30 – 11.00 am doctor doesn’t show up yet!

We went to speak with a nurse about my vaccination, if it will be enough time to make necessary analysis still today. Like I read somewhere that before making vaccination in Indonesia, in some clinics make additional blood test and etc. to check if patient health condition is really good to take the vaccine. The nurse didn’t say anything, just “please wait for a doctor”.

Already 11:15 am, finally doctor show up – but with a big sadness, I‘m not the first one in the line – more 5 people before me. So I’m still waiting for my “magic” vaccine.

Finally doctor invites me almost before 12:00 am (before his working hours finished). 3 min. in his cabinet, he gives the papers for making vaccination and that’s all. No tests, no questions.

I came back to nurse, showed doctors papers, she gave the bill for visiting doctor and explains what to do next. I’m going to pay to cashier for visiting doctor for 3 min. (and waiting almost 2 hours), coming back to nurse to give the copy of payment.

Going to pharmacy, putting the paper that doctor gave (vaccine name), waiting till pharmacy person will call me. Finally I heard my name, get the bill for vaccine. Going to pay for cashier again, coming back to pharmacy, showing the copy of payment and again waiting till they will call my name and will give the vaccine.

Finally, I have the vaccine and the syringe (yeah, you need to pay even for the doctors tools).

Going to another place, showing again all papers, explain what I want, giving the vaccine. Again getting the bill (for injection), going to cashier again, paying and coming back with payment copy.

Only then they made me the vaccine. Finally!!! After almost 4,5 hours in clinic I got my 3rd Hepatitis B vaccine!

After all, I started to think, why I needed to wait for a doctor and pay for his visit (3 min.), if he wrote only the paper. Why the nurse can’t do it, if no additional test needed to be done and etc.? Why needed to make so many payments at different time in different cabinets if would be enough to pay just for all service at once and get it in one place (for example in Lithuania we have special cabinet /places where you can make all vaccines, it’s like dedicated only to vaccinations)?

In my mind is only 2 thoughts: First they want to earn more money of doing so complicated process and involving more people to whom you will need to pay. Second – because of low unemployment situation in Indonesia they try hire more people and give them even small jobs (I already had many situation in another places when 1 person opens the doors, 2nd asks what you are searching for, 3rd find what you need, 4th gives you a bill, 5th takes your money, 6th pack your stuff and 7th helps you to take out the motorbike from parking ares). The nurse’s makes only documentation, they don’t’ have any right to decide or give any information about medical treatment. Other person makes just vaccinations, others just collect the recipes, other just collects the medicine, others gives you a bill. Everything could be much more easier :).

So what do you think it is? The way to earn more money or the way to engage more people and try to reduce unemployment in the country?

P.S. my advice even if in Indonesia the price of vaccination will be much cheaper than in your country, I suggest (if there is possibility) to make all vaccines before you are coming to Indonesia. First everything will be more clear and second you won’t waste your time and won’t kill nerve cells :D.

Do you have experience with medical systems abroad? Share your experience :)

Useful? Great! :) You might also like these:

Vaccinations for Indonesia
Health institutions in Yogyakarta
Asian people are not poor – they live easy

How to prepare before and during rainy season in Indonesia

Rainy season in Indonesia (that usually takes ~6 months) can influence your health condition and damage your belongings. If you are not used to such weather condition you should be prepared to it. What to do during rainy season? Here are my recommendations how to “survive” during rainy season.

What to do before rainy season or when the first rain comes

Place of stay

Liking parts: check if there is any liking parts through the roof, wall. Repair/cover it immediately (can ask your owner for help)
Gutter: check if the place gutter is clean because if the water during the rain won’t be able to go properly, it will start goes inside your place through walls, windows, and roof.
Windows, doors: when you are leaving the place, check your windows and doors. Be sure they close properly. During a tropical rain storm the wind blows the rain sideways and water can come in these cracks.
Bamboo roof: if you have such – cover properly the roof from inside.

Humidity and mushrooms

Because of big humid the mushrooms can damage your clothes, electrical devices, can affect your health condition.

Sun: if will be any sun, take out all your stuff to get dry in sun as often as possible (mattress, blankets, pillows, other textile and etc.)
Clothes: keep the shoes that you don’t wear in the plastic bags, but often ventilate them in the sun. As well ventilate your clothes often.
Electric device: turn on them daily. During the trip, if you will leave anything at home, keep it in plastic boxes.
Spaces: ventilate it daily; clean once per week the floor and others places where mushrooms can start to grove because of humid.
Furniture: buy special liquid and cover with it your furniture. That prevents wooden furniture from mushrooms and insects that eat wood. Also as often as possible take the furniture outside for a sun.
Cleaning equipment: keep it all the time clean, don’t leave in the bathroom.
Humidity collector: use special humid collector that possible to buy in bigger supermarkets and often take out collected water from there. As well them are very good for dry season – like humidity level in Indonesia is very high.
Fan: if you have it – use daily, to dry your sleeping place or other spaces.

Mosquitoes

Body treatment: during rainy season usually there are more mosquitoes and those who can give you Dengue fever (every 5 years in Indonesia exist outbreak of Dengue fever, this year (2015) was the 5th year, so many people got it). So use more often the spry from mosquitoes or other products on your skin.
Home implements: use implements at home to prevent the mosquitoes. For example mosquitoes net, electrical devices with lavender smell.
Clothes: don’t leave too many clothes hanging in the room, like mosquitoes will hide there. As well somehow black color clothes attract them more.
Food: drink more guava fruits. It helps your immunity system be stronger against Dengue fever.

Health

Vitamins: drink more vitamin C (you can buy it in the shops, pharmacy). If you have – vitamins that makes your immunity system stronger.
Food: drink more warm drinks, if it’s possible with lemon. Eat more soups and warm dishes. Eat properly food and “normal” dose.
Clothes: wear clothes that makes you stay warm, cover your neck with scarf. If in the place of staying the floor is from ceramic – wear socks or slippers. If you will get wet, try as soon as possible to change the clothes.
During the night: make sure that you will sleep warm (wear warm clothes, cover yourself with warm blanket and etc.)
Places: don’t stay in places where windy, drought is.

Be patient waiting for the dry season and take care of yourself, your place and stuff during rainy season :).

If you will be unlucky and will get sick, you can read where to get help – health institutions in Yogyakarta.

Have more tips what to do during rainy season? Please share :)

Health institutions in Yogyakarta

Main medicine to heal the fever, flue, bites, headache you can find in supermarkets, small shops. In general pharmacies you can find some other medicine as well. But more specific medicine that doctor wrote you in recipe you can find mostly only in pharmacies that is inside hospitals, clinics or private doctor office.

Health institutions in Yogyakarta are public, private clinics, hospitals as well private doctors (mostly specialize on one medical field). In Yogyakarta there are many places but my list made by my experience, where I have been and got the medical treatment. Like I have Lithuanian travel insurance I went only to private places. But before going to any private place it’s better with you have at least 300 000 Rp or even better 500 000 Rp (like you need to pay for doctor check-in, medicine and analysis if will be done).

Klinic Gading 24 Jam (clinic)

Umum, dokter panggil, gigi&mulut, UGM. Labaratorium, ECG, rotgen.
Jl. Mayjend D.I. Panjaitan 25, Yogyakarta
Telp. (0274) 375396
Working hours – 24 hours

I visited here 3 doctors (because of bee bite, long lasting cough). The most professional is Dr. Winda (female). She doesn’t work here every day, so better to call to reception and get information when she will be in clinic. She speaks English fluently (another 2 doctors not so much).

For doctor visit I paid 42 000 Rp (other doctors’ visits costed here 27 000 Rp each). And medicine price depends on your diagnosis. As well I got all needed medical reports in English for my insurance company – no extra charge.

Process: you come to reception desk, show your ID, they make your patient ID and then you wait till they invite you to visit doctor. After visiting doctor you leave the recipe in the box on the reception desk and wait till they collect your medicine and invite you. Then the reception person explains you how to use medicine and give a bill to pay (for visiting, medicine and etc.).

Rumah sakit Bethesda (clinic, hospital)

Jl. Jend. Sudirman 70, Yogyakarta
Telp. (0274) 562246/586688
Working hours – 8-5pm (for main doctors), but there is emergency place which works 24 hours

I visited here only 1 doctor (because of bronchitis). Don’t remember the name, but the doctor (male) speaks good English. He works every day in different department (in the same hospital) and usually from 9:00 till 11:00 am.

For doctor visit I paid 130 000 Rp. For each analysis you need to pay extra. And medicine price depends on your diagnosis. As well I got all needed medical reports in English for my insurance company but such report cost extra 5 000 Rp.

As well I made my 3rd Hepatitis vaccination. For vaccine, doctor visit and other services I paid in total 269 000 Rp.

Process: you come to information desk, take a waiting line number from device, fill the document (written in bahasa Indonesian) and waiting till your number will be shown on the screen. In reception desk they will make your patient ID and explain where the doctor cabinet is. You go there, show your patient ID for nurse, she/he check main your health condition and you wait till they invite you to visit doctor.
After visiting doctor you will get bill, you go to cash desk, pay for visit and copy of the bill bring back to the nurse.
Then you go to medicine desk in the box leave the original bill. After some time, they invite you and give you another bill for medicine (and return original bill for visiting doctor). You go again to cash desk pay for medicine and copy of the bill bring again to medicine desk. After some time they invite you and explain how to use all medicines.

Dr. H. Rikyanto, Sp. KK, M. Kes (private doctor)

Spesialis kulit&kelamin
Jl. Tentara Pelajar 10, Yogyakarta
(inside the “Apotik Bumija”)
Telp. (0274) 512209

Working hours – 6:30-8:00 pm (better to come at least ~20 min. earlier to be sure that you will get inside before working hours will end).

I visited this doctor because of skin problems. Doctor H. Rikyanto speaks English fluently.

For doctor visit I paid 70 000 Rp. For each analysis you need to pay extra. And medicine price depends on your diagnosis. As well I got all needed medical reports in English for my insurance company – no extra charge.

Process: the doctors assistant ask who is waiting the first and starts to create patient files for all the people who a waiting and put them to the line. Assistant every time invites each person. After visiting doctor, assistant gives you a bill for visiting – you need to pay for him. The recipe should be given for a pharmacy person and the wait till he invites you. He explains how to use medicine and give you a bill – you need to pay there for medicine.

Kimia Farma 2 (pharmacy)

Jl. Malioboro 123, Yogyakarta (near “Malioboro Mall”, in the opposite side)

Quite big pharmacy where you can find some European medicine.

In Yogyakarta there is international hospital (information in bahasa Indonesia) as well. I have never been there (because it’s quite expensive), but I heard that there treats with patients like kings or queens ;).

Or instead of going to doctors, you can try traditional Indonesian herbal medicine “Jamu”.

Do you have any experience with health institutions in Yogyakarta? Share it :)

Useful? Great! :) You might also like these:

“Clever” Indonesian medical system
Vaccinations for Indonesia
Visa for Indonesia