Indonesia’s Vision For The Future Of Medical Tourism Comes To Life With The Sanur Health SEZ, Providing World-Class Medical Facilities, Innovative Wellness Programs, And Job Creation For Local Communities In Bali

Published on November 13, 2025

The Sanur Health Special Economic Zone in Bali is poised to become a transformative force in Indonesia’s medical tourism sector. With its world-class healthcare facilities, advanced treatments, and wellness services, it offers a compelling alternative to Indonesians seeking medical care abroad. By providing cutting-edge medical services at home, the SEZ aims to reduce the annual outflow of billions in healthcare spending, while also creating thousands of jobs and positioning Bali as a global leader in health tourism.

Indonesia is making significant strides in bolstering its medical tourism sector, with a strong focus on keeping its citizens’ healthcare dollars within the country. At the core of this push is the newly established Sanur Health Special Economic Zone (SEZ), situated along the southeastern coast of Bali. This ambitious project is poised to position Indonesia as a leading health tourism destination in the region, offering world-class medical care, wellness services, and specialized treatments.

Spanning over 41 hectares, the Sanur SEZ is Indonesia’s first integrated health tourism hub, designed to cater to both local and international patients. Each year, around 2 million Indonesians travel abroad for medical treatments, with the majority heading to neighboring countries like Singapore and Malaysia. This growing trend of medical tourism results in more than 150 trillion rupiah (US$9 billion) being spent annually on foreign healthcare. The Sanur SEZ aims to change this dynamic by providing high-quality medical services within Indonesia, encouraging citizens to seek treatment at home rather than abroad.

A key component of the Sanur SEZ is the Bali International Hospital, which stands as the central healthcare facility within the zone. The hospital spans over 67,000 square meters and offers a wide range of specialized services, including cardiology, oncology, neurology, gastroenterology, hepatology, and orthopedics. To ensure the highest standards of care, the hospital has partnered with reputable medical institutions from countries like Australia, Japan, and Singapore. These collaborations bring advanced medical practices and international expertise to Bali, making it a prime destination for medical tourism.

Indonesia’s medical sector currently faces a shortage of approximately 70,000 specialist doctors, and the Sanur SEZ is part of the solution to this gap. The zone not only aims to bring in top-tier international specialists but also hopes to attract Indonesian doctors trained abroad to practice in their home country. With new licensing regulations allowing foreign-trained medical professionals to work within the SEZ, Indonesia is positioning itself as a prime destination for skilled healthcare workers.

In addition to medical care, the Sanur SEZ will provide a holistic approach to health tourism, combining healthcare, wellness, and hospitality services within one cohesive destination. The zone will include cutting-edge facilities for stem cell therapy, aesthetic surgery, fertility treatments, ophthalmology, and geriatrics, catering to a diverse range of patient needs. To enhance the experience, there will also be premium accommodations, a botanical garden showcasing Indonesia’s rich ethnobotanical heritage, and wellness centers offering relaxation and therapeutic treatments.

The Sanur SEZ’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its choice of partners, with the management team carefully selecting from more than 300 clinics and healthcare professionals to ensure that only those who meet global standards are included. The project’s leaders have spent several years reviewing and assessing the capabilities of potential medical providers, making sure that every aspect of the zone meets the highest international standards of care.

The Sanur SEZ is also expected to play a significant role in strengthening Indonesia’s regional position in the growing medical tourism market. Southeast Asia’s medical tourism industry is currently valued at over US$48 billion and is projected to grow by more than 12 percent annually. By capturing a portion of this growth, Indonesia hopes to boost its economy and reduce the outflow of medical spending to foreign countries.

InJourney, the state-owned aviation and tourism holding company overseeing the project, is optimistic about the SEZ’s potential to attract both local and international patients. In fact, the Bali International Hospital, which serves as the focal point of the development, already registers a substantial number of foreign patients—comprising 60 percent of the hospital’s total patient base. These patients come from over 30 different countries, underscoring the international appeal of the hospital and the Sanur SEZ as a whole.

The economic impact of the Sanur SEZ is also expected to be substantial. It is anticipated that the development will create up to 12,000 jobs over the next three years, providing employment opportunities for local workers and expanding both the medical and hospitality sectors in the region. This growth will not only benefit the healthcare industry but also provide a boost to Bali’s tourism sector, with an influx of medical tourists and their families seeking high-quality services and luxurious accommodations.

Authorities view the Sanur SEZ as a cornerstone of Indonesia’s long-term healthcare strategy. The project is seen as an opportunity to demonstrate the country’s ability to provide world-class medical services while simultaneously reducing the reliance on overseas healthcare providers. As the SEZ continues to develop, it will likely serve as a model for other regions in Indonesia, showcasing how medical tourism can contribute to economic growth, job creation, and the overall improvement of healthcare infrastructure.

In the coming years, Indonesia’s medical tourism industry is expected to flourish, with the Sanur Health Special Economic Zone playing a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of healthcare in the country. By offering high-quality services at competitive prices, Indonesia aims to position itself as a premier destination for medical tourists, drawing both local residents and international patients seeking top-tier care.