In a country as vast and diverse as Indonesia, medical emergencies and accidents will always be a challenge. It just depends on what type of challenge鈥� If you're an expat living in Indonesia or you're planning to move there, it's important to know how emergency services work and how to prepare for any potential health or safety issues. This article will help you understand all of that in more detail.
Medical emergencies in Indonesia
Indonesia uses a few emergency contact numbers, depending on the type of help you need:
- Medical emergencies/ambulance: 118 or 119
- Police: 110
- General emergency number: 112
While emergency services are available in all the major cities, finding an ambulance in rural areas can be very tricky. Response times can (and definitely will) be affected by traffic congestion, local geography and infrastructure.
Some villages have small health clinics (puskesmas) that provide basic treatment and first aid, but these facilities are probably not able to effectively handle serious emergencies. In cases like this, the locals will usually help out with getting you to the nearest medical facility.
A medical air evacuation is plausible in certain regions, but it's not a public emergency service and would have to be organized through private providers or insurance companies. If they're not covered by insurance, these kinds of medical evacuations can be extremely expensive!
Before traveling to remote areas, it's well worth taking the time to locate nearby healthcare facilities and make sure your insurance covers emergency transport if needed.
Health insurance in Indonesia
Health and accident insurance is definitely essential for anyone living in Indonesia. While being part of Indonesia's national health insurance scheme (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional 鈥� JKN) is mandatory for many employees, coverage levels are limited and may not meet your expectations as an expat, especially when it comes to emergency care or treatment in private facilities.
Many expats actually take out international private health insurance, either in addition to or instead of the local coverage. Decent international policies should provide access to private hospitals, English-speaking medical staff, and coverage for treatment abroad or some sort of medical evacuation.
When choosing an insurance policy, you should double-check that it includes emergency treatment and hospitalization, as well as medical evacuation and repatriation. You should also make sure that the coverage is across the whole of Indonesia, including remote areas.
Hospitals and clinics in Indonesia
Indonesia has both public hospitals and private medical facilities. Public hospitals are widely available but can be overcrowded and may have limited resources, especially outside the major cities.
Meanwhile, private hospitals and clinics usually offer higher standards of care, shorter waiting times and better-equipped facilities. Understandably, these are the preferred options for most expats and higher-income Indonesians. This private healthcare can be expensive without insurance and is concentrated mainly in large urban centers such as Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali.
Road accidents in Indonesia
Traffic in Indonesia is often heavy, especially in and around the major cities. Moreover, drivers often do not follow traffic regulations. According to data from the of the National Police, there were 149,147 traffic accidents in 2024. That means that, on average, at least 400 accidents occurred each day across the archipelago, resulting in some 26,839 deaths. The government has launched many measures to reduce these alarming statistics, but driving in Indonesia today is still quite risky.
In the event of a collision with an Indonesian driver, keep calm and do not panic. If someone has been injured, the first thing to do is to call emergency services. They will dispatch an ambulance and the police. The latter, on the other hand, may take some time to reach you, depending on the time of day, location, and traffic density. In any case, be aware that locals can be hostile if you are in the wrong. If you feel that the situation may get out of hand, go immediately to the nearest police station.
Always report your accident to the police, even if you have an amicable agreement or if it is only a minor fender-bender.
Personal safety and crime-related risks
Indonesia is really quite safe for expats and visitors, but just like any other place, petty crime does occur, especially in larger cities and popular tourist areas.
Common issues include pickpocketing and bag snatching, opportunistic theft and burglaries, particularly in poorly secured accommodation. To reduce the risk, you can avoid displaying valuables in public, use recommended transport services, make sure your accommodation is properly secured, and be extra careful at night, especially in unfamiliar areas.
Violent crime involving tourists and expats is extremely uncommon, but as in any country, having some basic street-wise precautions is sensible.
Health risks in Indonesia
Indonesia's tropical climate and geography definitely carry health risks, but travelers to Indonesia can reduce these risks in a few ways
Yes, mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria (in specific regions), chikungunya, and Zika are all present in Indonesia. But by using mosquito repellent, wearing protective clothing and reducing standing water around living areas, you can significantly reduce that risk.
Rabies is still a concern in some regions, thanks to the many stray dogs and wild animals. You should avoid contact with animals and seek immediate medical attention if bitten or scratched!
Food- and water-borne illnesses are also common, as you may have heard already. Drinking bottled or properly boiled water and choosing restaurants with good hygiene standards can help keep you healthy.
Based on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is also very prone to natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, and tsunamis. Staying informed through local authorities and official channels is a good idea.
What to do in case of an emergency in Indonesia
If you are involved in an accident or face a medical emergency:
Call the appropriate emergency number
- Medical emergency: 118 or 119
- Police: 110
- General emergency: 112
Seek medical care as quickly as possible: In urban areas, private hospitals or clinics are often the fastest option.
In remote areas, local clinics or community assistance may be required.
Contact your insurance provider: Many insurers have emergency assistance lines and can arrange direct billing or evacuation.
Follow local authorities' instructions: Particularly in the event of natural disasters or large-scale emergencies.
Having all your insurance details, emergency contacts, and knowledge of nearby medical facilities at hand can really help to reduce stress and response time in an emergency.
Wildlife and outdoor safety in Indonesia
Indonesia is home to diverse wildlife, and encounters are rare but possible in certain regions:
- Monkeys (macaques) are common in tourist areas such as Bali, and they may bite if provoked or fed.
- Snakes can be found across the archipelago. While venomous species exist, bites are extremely uncommon in urban areas.
- Komodo dragons are found only in specific parts of eastern Indonesia (The Komodo National Park and Flores). These beasts should be observed strictly under local guidance.
- Saltwater crocodiles live in certain regions, and you should pay close to attention to local guidance.
In general, when you're hiking, diving, or exploring nature, following local advice and safety guidelines is a very good idea.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
