Medical tourism: A new trend for Bali
While many can go on at length about their experience of surfing and sunbathing in Bali, there is a certain breed of travelers whose stories about the island involves face lifts and tooth repairs.
Medical tourism is an ongoing global trend that sees people willing to travel large distances either for better or cheaper medical treatment.
For Bali it is more the case of value for money when it comes to medical tourism.
“Why choose Bali? It is because of cheaper price here, and people combine it with a vacation so they have time to recover,” said Louise Cogan owner of Cocoon Medical Spa, a modern beauty center established early this year in Legian, Bali.
Cogan’s establishment states their prices are up to 83 percent cheaper than the United States, UK and Australia.
A full face Cutera skin rejuvenation laser procedure that generally costs US$3,000 in the US can be done for $500 at Cocoon Medical Spa.
The lower cost of labor and medical goods combined with the vast hospitality facilities on the island, has meant that Bali is fast developing medical tourism.
The Bali Indonesia Medika Citra (BIMC) hospital in Nusa Dua is one medical facility that offers treatment and holiday packages.
The Sun, Sand & Smile program from BIMC, for example, allows the customer to receive dental treatment at BIMC while staying a week at the Courtyard Hotel, which is owned by the Marriott Hotel chain, all for less than US$1,400.
The facilities all claim their doctors and nurses are suitably qualified. The training for workers at the Cocoon Medical Spa, for instance, was provided by the Academy of Cosmetic Medicine and Science (ACMAS).
Deborah Manning is a resident from New South Wales, Australia, who flew to Bali especially for treatments at Cocoon Medical Spa. “I am satisfied. I have had four procedures here so far,” said Manning to The Jakarta Post Travel last Thursday.
“Us Australians see Bali as a place that offers value for money. The treatments here would cost three to four times more in Australia,” Manning added.
Customers from various countries have started to take interest on medical tourism in Bali. “Ninety percent of our customers are foreigners; Australian, French and Russian are where most of them came from,” claimed Cogan.
Business is going well, Cogan said they have, on average, 20 customers each day.
Other non-medical establishments are apparently vying to get involved in the medical tourism trend; the W Hotel in Seminyak, for example will welcome the renowned Taiwanese facial expert Su-Man Hsu next month.
The London-based beautician has been featured by media in the UK such as Tatler Magazine UK, and her clients include celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Juliette Binoche and Frieda Pinto.
Her signature 60-minute treatment will be available for six days at the W Hotel on October 5-11. The procedure is priced at $150 per person, and will be limited to only five customers per day. The treatment includes facial massaging,which is touted as an alternative to Botox.
This trend seems to be rising as Bali continues to follow the steps of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and India, which has garnered profits from people willing to travel for treatment.
Cocoon Medical Spa, 
Jl. Sunset Road, Legian

Phone:+62 361 847 5997 
Email: info@cocoonmedicalspa.com
BIMC hospital
, Jl. ByPass Ngurah Rai 100X (Kuta branch)
,
BTDC complex, Block D (Nusa Dua branch)

Phone: +62 361 3000 911
Su-Man Hsu at W Hotel
Away Spa, The W Hotels Seminyak

Phone: +62 361 4738 106
 Email:awayspa.wbali@whotels.com
Read also:
