Regenerative Medicine in Indonesia

Regenerative medicine is a fairly new field of study that focuses on developing and applying new treatments to heal organs and tissues, as well as restore function due to disease, injuries, defects, or ageing by stimulating the body’s own regenerative capabilities. The human body has the natural ability to heal itself in many ways. For example, the liver can grow back to its original size after transplantation and our skin can repair itself after a cut. Regenerative medicine holds the promise of using this naturally occurring ability for a wide range of conditions. 

Regenerative medicine encompasses a broad range of scientific disciplines, including molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and immunology. It goes beyond disease management to search for and discover therapies that can support the body in repairing, restoring, and regenerating itself to a state of well-being. The main goal of regenerative medicine is to find a way to cure formerly untreatable diseases and injuries. 

Regenerative medicine can help facilitate healing in numerous conditions. These include, but are not limited to:

• Cancer and blood-related diseases, such as lymphoma, leukaemia, multiple myeloma, and neuroblastoma.Musculoskeletal and spine injuries, such as cartilage loss, disc degeneration, mild to moderate osteoarthritis, muscle strain, tendonitis, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
• Nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple system atrophy.
• Cosmetic reasons, such as to improve skin health and anti-ageing.

The following are some of the most common regenerative medicine procedures available today:

• Stem cell therapy
• Bone marrow transplant (stem cell transplant)
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
• Prolotherapy
• Surgeries for cartilage regeneration.

How Long Should I Stay in Indonesia?

Your length of stay depends on the type of regenerative procedure you have and your specific condition. For most procedures, such as prolotherapy, stem cell therapy, and PRP, you should be able to leave Indonesia on the same day. However, it is still recommended that you stay for at least 3 days before you travel home. This is because, in some cases, your doctor may schedule a follow-up appointment to see how your body is reacting to the treatment. After a bone marrow transplant, you may want to stay in Indonesia for at least 4 weeks. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

If you undergo stem cell therapy, PRP, or prolotherapy following an injury or for a disease, you may be recommended to rest for a few days, but these recommendations are more related to the injury/diseases and less to the procedure. For other types of regenerative medicine procedures, such as bone marrow transplants, the recovery time can take weeks and even months. Your doctor will likely give you a specific recovery timeline.

What Aftercare is Required?

Aftercare instructions specifically designed for your conditions will be given to you by your doctor. You must follow all of the instructions to get optimum results and avoid complications. Depending on your injury or disease, you may need to attend lifelong regular checkups. If you cannot travel to Indonesia regularly for the checkups, you should be able to do the checkups with your local doctor at home.

What's the Success Rate?

When performed by qualified professionals, regenerative medicines are proven to be safe and effective. Regenerative medicine is still relatively new, so more research is needed. However, the field has made significant progress and has been proven to have high success rates. All kinds of medical procedures carry some potential risks. With regenerative medicine, the risks include infection, nerve injuries, and tissue damage.

Are there Alternatives?

The alternatives can be different for everyone, depending on the injury/disease and its extent. For example, those with osteoarthritis may undergo joint replacement surgery as an alternative.

Regenerative Medicine in and around Indonesia

About Indonesia

Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia, located between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is the 4th most populous country in the world with over 260 million inhabitants. The country consists of more than 17,000 islands, which makes it the largest island country in the world. It is packed with beaches, volcanoes, tropical jungles, exotic animals, and culture. This wonderful country invites any adventurous traveler to explore its dramatic landscape. Today, Indonesia is also a potential medical tourism destination. Although it is not as popular as its neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand in terms of medical tourism, the country actually houses numerous excellent medical centers. Many of the medical practitioners are well-trained and can communicate in English. The medical centers are equipped with cutting-edge technology and offer a wide range of affordable treatments. Some of the most sought-after treatments are blepharoplasty, liposuction, and breast augmentation.

Popular Parts of Indonesia

From busy metropolises, and sparkling beaches, to tropical rainforests, tourists will be able to find anything they want here.

• Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia. It is the melting pot of Indonesia's many cultures because thousands of people from all over the country live and work here. The city is home to numerous museums, some of which are the biggest in the country, such as the National Museum of Indonesia and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara (MACAN). The most famous landmark in the city is the National Monument or Monas which commemorates the Indonesian struggle for independence. The city also has a unique old city known as Kota Tua, where tourists can find many interesting colonial buildings.  
• Bali is Indonesia’s main tourist destination which attracts more than 15 million tourists every year. The island is packed with striking beaches, diverse marine life, jungle-covered mountains, lively nightlife, opulent culture, and spiritual energy. Almost every beach on the island is worth visiting, particularly Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Sanur, and Padang Padang Beaches. You can visit the Pura Tanah Lot and witness its scenic beauty or go to Ubud Monkey Forest to watch the monkeys and explore the sacred temples.
• The Special Region of Yogyakarta is the center of Java’s traditions and it is the only region in Indonesia that officially recognizes the monarchy. The region is home to numerous ancient buildings and temples. Visit Borobudur temple in the early morning to watch the sunrise, and watch the sunset from Prambanan or Ratu Boko temples. Tourists who are eager to learn about the region’s past can wander around Taman Sari, a park of palaces, pools, and waterways belonging to the sultan.
• Medan is the largest city on the island of Sumatra and it is a gateway to the western part of Indonesia as well as a busy trading city. The most important attraction in Medan is Lake Toba which is one of the natural wonders of the world. It is a massive crater lake with an island in its center. The island, named Samosir, is almost as big as Singapore. This enormous lake has a depth of 450 meters, making it more like an ocean rather than a lake. The clear lake with picturesque mountains in the background gives an incredible view that will leave anyone in awe.
• Bandung is widely known as Parijs van Java or the Paris of Java because of its resemblance to Paris and European cities. Located on a river basin surrounded by volcanic mountains, it has a significantly cooler temperature than any other part of Indonesia. The city is a weekend gateway for people from the surrounding cities and it is popular for its delightful food, fashionable boutiques, creative arts, and lush green spaces. The city is filled with Art Deco, Neoclassical, and Gothic buildings such as the Savoy Homann Hotel and De Vries Building.

Weather and Climate in Indonesia

Indonesia experiences an entirely tropical climate. The average temperatures can vary based on the area. Coastal areas have an average temperature of 28 °C, the inland and mountain areas have an average of 26 °C, and the higher mountain areas have an average of 23 °C. There are two seasons in the country, but the seasons can start differently in each region. Generally, June to October is the dry season and November to March is the rainy season. The dry season is influenced by the Australian continental air masses and has a slightly cooler temperature than the rainy season. Tourists can expect mostly sunny days, but there will be some short rain showers. The rainy season can be very humid, and wet, and has a significant amount of rain.

Getting Around in Indonesia

Indonesia is well-connected by airports in almost every region. However, the largest airports are Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. Both airports serve domestic and international flights to major cities around the globe. There are budget airlines in almost every airport, including Air Asia, Citilink, and Wings Air. Domestic flights can be rather expensive but will make traveling around the cities a lot easier. 

Getting around the islands of Java and Sumatra can easily be done by trains operated by PT. KAI. There are 5 classes of trains: economy, business, executive, priority, and sleeper. The economy class can be a little uncomfortable and crowded, but tourists can get around several cities for as low as $4. Since the country is an archipelago, tourists can also travel from one island to another by ferry boats (long-distance) and speed boats (short distances such as Bali to Lombok).

Most of the cities will have their own mode of transport. The most common mode of transport is taxis and buses. Taxis are normally metered, but some drivers refuse to use the meter and force tourists to pay a fixed fare. Tourists should avoid riding these kinds of taxis and always insist on using the meter. The most reliable taxi companies are Blue Bird and Express. Bigger cities like Jakarta have MRT, LRT, and KRL (local trains).

Tourist Visas in Indonesia

Citizens of 170 jurisdictions can visit and stay in Indonesia for up to 30 days. Visa on arrival is available for 68 countries including Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Nationals not listed in the visa exception agreement and visa on arrival need to obtain a visa before entering the country. It is advisable to check at your nearest Indonesia Embassy or Consulate for the visa policy. All visitors will need to have a passport valid for at least 6 months and a valid return ticket.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) and $1 will get you approximately Rp14.000.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs that accept international cards are widely available in many cities. Credit cards are accepted in most established restaurants and hotels. If you are planning to visit small towns, it is advisable to carry some cash. Tipping is not essential but will be highly appreciated.
3. Local Language: The official language is Bahasa Indonesia and people in major cities and tourist areas will speak and understand English.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Most of the population follows Islam, but there are small groups of Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and Confucianism. It is important to know that Indonesian people are friendly and conservative. Avoid wearing revealing clothes except on the beach.
5. Public Holidays: Indonesia celebrates numerous national and religious holidays such as Independence Day, Eid Mubarak, Christmas, Vesak, and Nyepi.