Urology in Indonesia

Urology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diseases of the female and male urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra). This branch of medicine also deals with male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, and penis).

Urology has a number of sub-disciplines, including:

• Endourology – this sub-discipline of urology deals with the closed manipulation of the urinary tract. It includes all minimally invasive urologic surgical procedures, such as prostate surgery and stone removal surgery.
• Urologic oncology – this focuses on the treatment of malignant genitourinary diseases, such as cancer of the bladder, prostate, kidney, ureters, adrenal glands, testicles, or penis.
• Neurourology – this deals with the treatment of conditions involving the nervous control of the genitourinary system or abnormal urination.
• Pediatric urology – this focuses on urologic disorders in children, such as congenital abnormalities of the genitourinary tract, cryptorchidism (undescended testes), underdeveloped genitalia, enuresis, and vesicoureteral reflux.
• Andrology – this deals with disorders of the male reproductive system, such as ejaculatory disorders, erectile dysfunction, vasectomy reversal, and infertility.
• Reconstructive urology – this is a highly specialized field of male urology that deals with the reconstruction of both the structure and function of the genitourinary tract.
• Female urology – this deals with conditions of a woman’s reproductive and urinary tract, such as pelvic organ prolapse, overactive bladder, and urinary incontinence.

Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists. Urologists can diagnose and treat diseases of the urinary tract in both women and men, as well as diagnosing and treating any problems in men’s reproductive tract. In some cases, urologists may also perform surgery. In the case of certain conditions, urologists may need to work in conjunction with medical professionals who specializes in other fields, such as oncologist, radiotherapists, nephrologist, and gynecologist.

Urologists can treat the following conditions:

In men:

• Prostate gland enlargement
• Cancers of the penis, bladder, testicles, kidneys, and adrenal and prostate glands
• Erectile dysfunction
• Infertility
• Kidney diseases
• Kidney stones
• Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome
• Prostatitis
• Varicoceles, or enlarged veins in the scrotum
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

In women:

• Cancer of the kidneys, bladder, and adrenal glands
• Bladder prolapse, or a condition in which the bladder drops into the vagina
• Kidney stones
• Interstitial cystitis
• Overactive bladder
• Urinary incontinence
• UTIs

In children:

• Blockages and other problems with the urinary tract structure
• Bed-wetting
• Undescended testicles

What does Urology Involve?

During your first appointment, your urologist may ask you questions about your health history, any medicines you take, and your current symptoms. Your urologist may do a physical exam that includes a rectal and genital exam. They may also do some tests, such as:

• Imaging tests, such as MRI scans, CT scans, or ultrasound to help them locate the problem.
• A urine test to check for bacteria or other signs of disease.
• A cystoscope (a long, thin tube with a camera on its end) to see inside the urinary tract and take a sample of tissue for testing.
• A biopsy to check for cancer and other disorders.
• Urodynamic testing to check how fast the urine leaves your body, how much pressure there is in your bladder, and how much urine remains in your bladder after urinating.

After your urologist makes a diagnosis, the treatment will depend on your specific condition. It may include the use of medications and surgery.

Types of medication include:

• Hormone treatment for prostate cancer
• Antibiotics for infections
• Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors for erectile dysfunction
• Chemotherapy drugs for cancer
• Drugs that act on the smooth muscle of the bladder to help reduce urinary incontinence.

Some of the most common types of surgery include:

• A cystectomy, which is a procedure to remove the bladder. This procedure is used to treat cancer.
• A kidney transplant, which involves replacing a damaged or diseased kidney with a healthy one.
• Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, which is used to break up kidney stones so they can be removed more easily.
• A repair of damage to the urinary tract due to injury.
• A procedure to open a blockage.
• A repair of urinary organs that are not well-formed.
• A prostatectomy, which is used to remove all or part of the prostate gland. This procedure is performed to treat prostate cancer.
• Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate, which removes excess tissue from an enlarged prostate.
• Transurethral resection of the prostate, which involves the removal of excess tissue from an enlarged prostate.
• A sling procedure, which uses strips of mesh in order to support the urethra and keep it closed. This procedure can treat urinary incontinence.
• A ureteroscopy, which involves the removal of stones in the kidneys and ureter using a scope.
• A vasectomy, which is a procedure to cut and tie the vas deferens, or the tubes that carry sperm. This is done to prevent pregnancy.
• A nephrectomy, which involves removing a kidney to treat cancer.

The surgery can be performed in one of two ways: open through a large incision, laparoscopically through several tiny incisions. Both methods are usually performed under general anesthesia. In some cases, local anesthetic may be used instead.

How Long Should I Stay in Indonesia?

Depending on the procedure you will have, you may be able to leave the hospital on the same day or you will have to stay for up to 5 days. In general, it is highly advisable that you stay in Indonesia for several days following your procedure for initial recovery and to attend scheduled follow-up checkups. For surgical procedures, you may need to stay in the country for at least 10 to 14 days.

What's the Recovery Time?

The recovery time varies, depending on the procedure you have, the reason why you need the procedure, and your overall health. For surgical procedures, it may take about one to six weeks until you can go back to your full activity. For non-surgical procedures, you may be allowed to go back to your normal routine within several days. Your urologist will give you a detailed recovery timeline, which includes the time you can go back to work, normal activity, and strenuous activities, such as exercise and heavy lifting.

What About Aftercare?

Your urologist will give you a set of instructions for your aftercare. The instruction may include a diet plan, exercise, restrictions, and medication to take, and wound care. It is important that you follow every instruction closely. After surgery, you will be encouraged to do some light exercise, such as walking, to help your healing process. You may also need to eat easily digestible food until you are recovered.

Depending on your specific condition, you may need to attend regular checkups following your treatment. For instance, if you had cancer treatment, your doctor will suggest you attend a checkup once or twice a year to ensure that cancer has not come back.

What's the Success Rate?

The field of urology is at the forefront of research and innovation. Due to its constant advancement, the procedures are becoming more effective and safer. Each urological treatment is also known to offer high success rates. However, any procedure comes with risks, such as infection, bleeding, and damage to nearby organs. Therefore, it is important that you choose a skilled and experienced urologist.

Are there Alternatives to Urology?

If you have any injury or disease in your urinary tract and/or reproductive organ (for men), there is no other alternative besides visiting a urology department. However, if your disease is found to be caused by other problems, the doctor will refer you to a relevant doctor.

Urology 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.