Home » Practical Information » Health and Medical Concerns

Do you have a medical question pertaining to LIVING in INDONESIA (only). If so, Contact Us. Medical staff at International SOS have generously agreed to answer selected questions for this forum.

We are planning to live in Medan with a 3 month old baby. We are wondering whether it is really necessary to give her a TB vaccination and Hep B vaccination at this stage or whether this can also be done when she is a bit older so that vaccinations are a bit more spread out. The risk for a young baby to get Hep B seems low, or is that not correct. The answer

I'm planning extended travel through Indonesia and I am a bit worried about being able to refill my narcotic-based prescriptions, should I need to. Can I get vicodine and other prescriptions refilled in Indonesia? The answer

I was just wondering whether medical abortions were a possibility in Indonesia? I have a serious medical condition and my doctor has strongly advised me that right now is not a good time for me to have children. I would like to know my options, and would be very grateful if you could let me know if there is anywhere that you can go in Bali, or elsewhere in Indonesia, for an abortion. The answer

I will move to Jakarta this year. I was wondering if you could let me know where I can purchase birth control. What birth control options do I have in Jakarta? The answer

We just had our son 3 years old vaccinated for BCG but recently we read that if a child is older than 3 months you should make a Mantox-Test first. Now my question is what if he was at the time of the vaccination already TB infected? And what medical steps have to be taken now? The answer

My 4 month old son has recently spent 7 days in Pondok Indah Hospital and has since been diagnosed with asthma and TB. A Matoux Tuberculin test was done and 24 hours later the results showed an induration of 11-13mm. The pediatrician then suggested an x-ray which showed a build up of mucus in the lungs. The lung specialist then told me that based on the results of the test that my son has TB and will require treatment. It is worth mentioning that my son was admitted to hospital due to a high temperature of 40.2 as well as a cough. Over the time he was in hospital his cough became worse and the wheezing became more pronounced. The result of the blood culture was negative, as was the urine and feces test, although his white blood cell count was very high. Since leaving hospital he has been taken off all medication (on the recommendation of a pediatric lung specialist practicing in Cinere) his cough has improved along with the wheezing. He continues to put on weight (as he did in hospital) and is very lively. He is certainly much happier than when he was in hospital. The doctor at PI is adamant that he has TB but I am worried that this diagnosis is wrong. I have also been told to allow x-rays for all my wife's family as well as myself. In the meantime I have asked for a re-examination from a qualified lung specialist from another hospital to be performed this friday afternoon at PI Hospital. I would appreciate any expert advice that you could give me concerning my son's case. The answer

In 1997 we lived in the vicinity of Ragunan, South Jakarta. We had several dogs, which were often bitten by ticks. On one occasion I found myself bitten and I developed a rash on my upper leg. I heard rumors of Lyme disease spreading through Europe, U.S., China, and Russia. Is it possible to get Lyme disease in Jakarta nowadays? Has there been any evidence in Java of ticks with Borrelia Burgdorferi? The answer

Do you know if and where they sell (reliable) nicotine patches in Surabaya or Jakarta? The answer

I live in Bali and am also interested in having a vasectomy. What are your recommendations? The answer

I would like to ask for the address and telephone number of abortion clinic in Jakarta. Could you recommend and give me the safest clinic in Jakarta? The answer

My husband and I work and live in Banda Aceh and I've recently confirmed that I'm 3 months pregnant. I visited the Glen Eagles Hospital in Medan for pre natal care but have been advised by other expats that Singapore or Penang, Malaysia are the best options for delivery. Do you concur with this advice? Do you have any information regarding the pre natal care available in Medan at Glen Eagles? Although this is my first pregnancy, I prefer to stay in the region with my husband, unless complications arise. Thus far the ultrasound and blood test results are normal and fine. The answer

I have a 3-year-old daughter who was diagnosed by the doctor with Positive TB after a Mantoux test. Now she is on treatment for about 2 weeks to 3 months, as suggested. Can the disease infect other members of the family ? She has a 1-year-old brother who she likes to play with and she kisses him a lot. How can we avoid the infection's spread to other family members, especially her brother? The answer

We are currently living in Bali for 3 months, and then returning home to New Zealand. We are considering trying to get pregnant while in Bali but are concerned that if I pick up a parasite or suffer form food poisoning it amy harm the fetus. Do you think I should be concerned about this and avoid falling pregnant in Bali and rather waiting until we return home to new Zealand or do you think I can stop worrying and go about conceiving. The answer

What is the the availability of Insulin in Indonesia? I'm a type 1 diabetic and will require a regular supply. The answer

Hello, a close friend was recently diagnosed with "chikungunya" and I am very worried about her! I have read up extensively on this, but I find the info quite lacking! Are there any precautions you could suggest to help recovery, like foods to eat, meds to take, etc.? Thanks! The answer

Does Jakarta have any western trained psychiatrists or doctors that can effectively deal with mild to moderate depression or anxiety symptoms ? The answer

After a recent visit to Bali I got very ill and I found out I have parasites. I am begriming to search for help in the USA. I'd like to know the name for the type of worm I have. They are in my sinuses and drip down to my intestines, then sometimes I'll pass an adult-sized jelly-like white oval shape with a very long noodle-like skinny tail, along with a rank odor like dead fish. Please help me if you know of a specialist I can consult. The answer

My family is moving to Africa and we need a Yellow Fever shot. Do you know where to get them in Indonesia? The answer

I am thinking about a taking a job in Jakarta and I have had skin cancer. Are there dermatologists there that are experienced in this? I have had a malignant melanoma surgery three years ago and a squirm cell surgery on my right arm three weeks ago. So I am concerned where would be a good place to go for general checkup. The answer

I had typhoid 3 months back. Now I underwent Vidal test. S typhoid O & S typhoid H are positive. What is to be done? The answer

What causes recurrent typhoid? I live in central Java and my housemates has had 4 attacks in 12 months. The last was the most severe, with 40 degree fever and liver involvement. She has been treated by doctors and specialists with antibiotics, but it keeps recurring. She had another blood test last week after her latest course of antibiotics finished and her reading was reduced from 1/1280 to 1/640, so it is still present in her system. She doesn't know where to go from here, as it is getting worse, not better! Any ideas about further treatment or ways to boost her immune system? Doctors here only seem to carry out tests if you request them. The answer

I will be working in Balikpapan for a short period. Is malaria endemic in the area? Should I arrange a course of malaria tablets? The answer

How can I find an ob-gyn and specialist for infertility problems? The answer

My diabetic wife just came back from Singapore yesterday and had her first of what will be twice daily Insulin injections. We have enough supply for about 30 days. Where is the best place in Jakarta to obtain a regular supply of Insulin? The answer

We are moving to Surabaya with a two year old son. My wife is pregnant. We understand that the Surabaya International Hospital may be a good option for us for delivery. Our concern is that this is her second diabetic pregnancy. Her first was well managed with insulin. We hope to have a natural birth rather than a c-section which we have heard is common in Indonesia. Do you have knowledge of any English-speaking expat OBs or endocrinologists that could help us with these issues. I am also in need of information on the out of pocket costs of pregnancy and prenatal care at that hospital. Our international health coverage will not cover pregnancy within the first year of coverage. The answer

I am a physician traveling with a group of scuba divers to Indonesia. We will be in Bali for several days and at the Wakatobi Dive resort on the island of Onemobaa in SE Sulawesi. Do you know the incidence of typhoid exposure in these areas? Would it be as effective to be aware of symptoms of typhoid illness and bring Ciprofloxacin instead of taking the fairly unreliable vaccine? Thank you for your help. The answer

My family members just tested positive for HIV+. Since no confidentiality is there in Indonesia, will the person be facing possible deportation? What is the best place to go in Jakarta/Surabaya? We need experienced doctors who can provide advanced medications. We are looking for access to HAART treatments such as those available in the US. Please help us refer to some qualified doctors who are highly experienced in treating HIV/AIDs. The answer

I am coming to Indonesia for a 2-week holiday in Bali and Lombok and, referring in particular to my stay the latter island, I was suggested to start an anti-malaria treatment due to the endemic presence of malaria. What do you suggest?The answer

I am coming to bali soon and wonder if I can get "Ventolin CFC Free Metered Aerosol 200 Dose 2" and also "Seretide Accuhaler 500/50". The answer

A 27 year old Indonesian friend has just suffered a minor stroke leaving the side of his face paralyzed and his left arm suffering from shakes. He has started attending physiotherapy and massage. I would like to make sure that he gets the best treatment available. What treatments are available in Indonesia?The answer

We are from Holland and we live now for 7 months in Jakarta, Menteng area. We're expecting our first baby in September. I'd like to deliver the baby in Jakarta. Right now we visit the doctor in SOS in Cipete, but the doctor will not deliver the baby. Which hospital and doctor can you recommend in the Menteng area? The answer

I'm living on Sumatra. Are there any recommended places to have HIV blood tests in a major city on Sumatra? The answer

Well I have been taking these pills my doctor told me to take for a burn I had called cloxacillin. My burn wasn't really bad, it was just a little infected. I've been taking these pills, but my burn is healed. Can I stop taking them? The answer

I plan to move to Indonesia from the US with my husband, and I am supposed to deliver a baby in Jakarta. It is my first delivery, and I would prefer to have painless delivery (I do not know the exact name/This method is common in the US), which use drugs/medicines to hasten labor. I would like to know whether any hospitals in Jakarta have painless delivery system, since in Japan, mothers usually have natural painful delivery. If not, could you recommend other hospitals for me? I am a native speaker of Japanese, and I am also basically comfortable in English. The answer

My husband may get a transfer to Bali this year. The thing is, we are also planning to try for a baby later this year, which means we may be in Bali when I am due, which worries me a little. Has anyone, or do you know of anyone who has given birth in Bali? How good are the hospitals? I've also heard that people chose to move to Singapore a few weeks before due date to deliver there, but as husband cannot stay with me for all those weeks, I would be totally alone as I don't know anyone. I also wonder if I need to stay in a hotel in that case until delivery is close, which will cost a fortune. The answer.

Is there reliable advice available for people with Multiple Sclerosis who wish to move to Bali or other parts of Indonesia (for example, it is advisable to make such a move? I have MS but am relatively symptom-free. The answer

We are a planning to relocate to Jakarta with a 6 months old boy with Down Syndrome. We would appreciate any advice and information regarding the possibilities of finding competent physiotherapist and speech & language therapist. Are there any chances to find good specialists that could help our little boy get the necessary early education?How about mentality on this issue? The answer

I have a question about a possible false-positive test for typhoid. I and two Indonesian friends of mine ate at a restaurant in West Jakarta and within hours I developed abdominal gas and bloating which progressed to frequent diarrhea (a few times every hour). I then had a sudden fever and felt very weak and dehydrated despite drinking lots of water. I was hospitalized at RS Permata Hijau for five days and given IV fluids (Ringers injection) and medication (although I refused all meds due to multiple drug allergies and the doctor said I'd recover without the medication, but it would just be worse and take longer). The doctor said it was probably dysentery, although I had no bloody stools or mucus, but the stools were pale. Tests were run and I tested positive for Salmonella Typhi types 0 and H with a 1/160 titer. They took another test the next day and I tested negative for S. Typhi. The diarrhea lasted about five days and I was weak the entire time but I had a good appetite and the fever disappeared after day two or three. My question is: Did I have a false positive result for Salmonella Typhi O and H? This happened in February and since then I cook all foods at home and boil them to be extra safe. The answer

Our family doctor has recommended that we get immunized against rabies before we move to Indonesia, in addition to Hep. A+B and Typhoid. Is it really necessary to have a rabies vaccination if residing in Jakarta and occasionally traveling across Indonesia? The answer

I am temporarily in Australia to give birth. I would like to return to Jakarta as soon as possible after the baby is born. Can you see any problem in returning to Jakarta within 4-6 weeks. I have been told that I may be exposing my baby to tuberculosis ... is this an issue? The answer

I would like to know whether you can recommend a good place in Jakarta for me to undergo diagnostic hysteroscopy and possibly make some tests to check my hormones. I am suffering from primary infertility, and I already made some tests in Europe and am taking progesterone supplements right now. Is there a good infertility specialist available in Jakarta? Thank you so much for your much appreciated help. The answer

I spent the summer in Bali and the Eastern Islands of Indonesia and came home on the 5th of August. About 3 weeks ago I began having serious fevers and then took some medicine for the flu, the fevers subsided and returned about 4 days ago. I found out today that I have malaria and was perscribed 5 pills of 250mg each of Larium to take in one day. How long will it take to get well from malaria after taking the medicine and what other effects, if any, should I anticipate for the future? During the healing process should I do abstain from anything in particular like physical activities or anything like that? Thanks! The answer

I will be working on an offshore vessel just off Pagerungan Island in Indonesia during the November- December period and am wondering about the risk of contracting mosquito borne disease and what precautions I can take. The answer

I have to spend the next two weeks in the Krakatau steel plant in Cilegon. I am a little confused because some people present on site are taking anti-malaria treatment (nivaquine) and others not. We don't have in our company a real politic around medical prevention for people going to this site. Can you please advise me: Is an anti malaria treatment useful in that area? The answer

I am looking for information on the brands of low dose combined oral contraceptives (“the pill”) commonly available in Jakarta, Indonesia. As I know that the pill is not the contraception of choice in Indonesia (but it is mine), I would like to know what brands (with specific estrogen+... composition and dosage level) I will be able to obtain in Jakarta. Also, are the available pills locally produced or imported? If locally produced, are they of good quality? (I remember a recent article claiming that 30% of all drugs available on the Indonesian markets were fake.). Are the COC also affected? The answer

Where, in Jakarta, can you have psittacosis (on a human) diagnosed? The answer

What about Japanese encephalitis in Bali? I'm planning a trip to Bali with my children and I'm worried about because I heard 54 people reported sick with this disease. Should we go or cancel our holiday? The answer

I will need physical therapy after having surgery on my left foot next month. Is there a Registry or Organisation for qualified/accredited physical therapists in Jakarta? Can you recommend one or more physical therapists? The answer

I am moving to Jakarta with my husband and two children aged 5 and 8. My daughter who is 5 suffers from asthma when she has a cold or chest infection. She is also allergic to penicillin. My daughter takes Flixotide Junior Accuhaler (Fluticasone Propionate) as a daily preventor and Ventolin when required. I presume Ventolin is readily available but is the Flixotide available? Also, do asthma sufferers find it difficult living in Jakarta because of the atmosphere? We have had inoculations for Hepatitis A & B and Typhoid. Is immunisation against TB recommended? The answer

My youngest son (10 years) suffers from mild Cerebral Palsy and requires the use of Crutches and the use of ankle splints to get about. At present his treatment is physiotherapy once a month, and a referral to a orthopedic specialist once a year, or splint clinics as required. My question is It possible to get referral to a local medical centre to get a local orthopedic and is it possible to get ankle splints and physiotherapy in Jakarta. If you could also let me know the likely costs of a consultant and splints if known I would be most grateful. My son does not require any further treatment for his Cerebral Palsy other than his physiotherapy and ankle splints. The answer

My daughter is 1 year and 3 months old and is suffering from spina bifida and hydrocephalus. She has had 7 operations. Doctors have recommended we give her physiotherapy exercises as she is paralyzed below the waist and cannot sit. To enable her to sit we have to take her to a professional physiotherapist, but I am unable to find one in Jakarta. I would appreciate it if you could give me addresses of a good physiotherapist with all the required equipment. I want to start her therapy immediately. The answer

Page 1 Questions - Page 1 Answers

Page 2 Questions - Page 2 Answers

Do you have a medical question pertaining to living in Indonesia? If so, submit it to us. Medical staff at International SOS have generously agreed to answer selected questions for this forum.

Practical Information  |  Expat Forum  |  Site Map   |  Search  |  Home Page  |  Contact

Copyright © 1997-2012, Expat Web Site Association Jakarta, Indonesia http://www.expat.or.id All rights reserved. The information on Living in Indonesia, A Site for Expatriates may not be retransmitted or reproduced in any form without permission. This information has been compiled from sources which we, the Expat Web Site Association and volunteers related to this site, believe to be reliable. While reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the facts are accurate and up-to-date, opinions and commentary are fair and reasonable, we accept no responsibility for them. The information contained does not make any recommendation upon which you can rely without further personal consideration and is not an offer or a solicitation to buy any products or services from us. Opinions and statements constitute the judgment of the contributors to this web site at the time the information was written and may change without notice.