Medical help & emergency contacts

Dr Ari Sudhewa & Associates

24/7 on-call doctor, clinics in Denpasar

Dr Ari has looked after travellers, expats and holidaymakers in Bali since 1998, and has run 24-hour clinics in Denpasar since 2005. He is the name most often given in the big Bali expat groups because the team comes to your hotel or villa at any hour and handles the insurance paperwork properly — medical certificates, itemised invoices and supporting documents for your claim.

The practice runs about ten GPs, ten nurses, a dentist and a pharmacist, plus its own drivers and ambulance service. Common call-outs are Bali belly and rehydration drips, immune and hangover drips, wound treatment and stitches, ear irrigation, nebuliser treatment for asthma, and blood, urine or stool tests collected at your accommodation with results explained over WhatsApp.

His practice warns that he can only be contacted on those two WhatsApp numbers — anyone else claiming to be Dr Ari is not.

How house calls work here

• Booked by WhatsApp; expect to send your location pin, symptoms and room or villa number.
• Typical call-out is IDR 500,000–1,500,000 including consultation, with medication or an IV drip extra.
• Ask for a stamped receipt and diagnosis letter if you plan to claim on travel insurance.
• Go to hospital instead for chest pain, head injury, breathing trouble, severe bleeding or any animal bite.

What you can and cannot buy

• Over the counter: paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, rehydration salts (Pharolit/Oralit), antiseptics, motion-sickness tablets, most reflux and diarrhoea medicines.
• Prescription only: antibiotics, strong painkillers, asthma inhalers in some branches, contraceptive pills at smaller apotek.
• Banned or heavily controlled: codeine, ADHD stimulants, strong sleeping pills, CBD. Do not have them posted to you.
• Ask by generic name — brand names differ. Paracetamol is often sold as Panadol or Sanmol.

Practical tips

• Gojek and Grab both deliver from partner pharmacies in the south and Ubud, usually within the hour.
• Prices are low by Western standards; a course of antibiotics is often IDR 50,000–200,000. Cash or card both work at chains.
• Check the expiry date and that the box is sealed. Buy from chains or hospital pharmacies rather than mini-mart shelves.
• Rural areas (north, east, the islands) may only have a small apotek closing around 9pm — carry a basic kit when you travel out of the south.

Travel insurance

Make sure your policy covers scooter accidents, tropical illnesses, and medical evacuation. BIMC and Siloam often bill directly with major insurers; smaller clinics usually require upfront payment and reimbursement.

Pharmacies (Apotek)

Kimia Farma and Guardian are the most reliable chains. Many medications that require prescriptions elsewhere are available over the counter. Carry a copy of your prescriptions and know the generic names of your medicines.

Dengue and tropical illness

Dengue is present year-round. If you develop a sudden high fever, severe headache, or pain behind the eyes, see a doctor promptly. Use DEET or picaridin repellent, especially at dawn and dusk.

Ride to hospital

For non-urgent transport, Grab or Gojek car is usually fastest. For emergencies, call 118 or ask your hotel to arrange transport and call ahead so the hospital can prepare. Keep your hotel's number saved too.