How to Navigate Medical Situations in Indonesia: Useful Phrases + Tips

Getting sick or dealing with an emergency can be stressful, especially when you are in another country and do not speak the language fluently.

If you live in Bali or elsewhere in Indonesia, knowing a few Indonesian medical phrases, important emergency numbers, and basic healthcare vocabulary can make these situations much easier.

You do not need perfect Indonesian. When something goes wrong, simple and clear communication is what matters most.

How Do You See a Doctor in Bali or Indonesia?

For common health problems, you can visit:

Klinik – clinic
Puskesmas – public/community health centre
Rumah sakit – hospital
Apotek – pharmacy

For a serious or urgent medical situation, look for an IGD (Instalasi Gawat Darurat), which is the Indonesian term for a hospital Emergency Department or ER.

For example, RSUD Bali Mandara in Denpasar operates a 24-hour IGD and uses a triage system, meaning patients are treated based on how urgent their condition is.

A simple phrase to remember:

Saya perlu dokter.
I need a doctor.

For an emergency:

Saya perlu ke IGD.
I need to go to the emergency department.

Useful Indonesian Medical Phrases

You do not need complicated sentences to explain how you feel.

Indonesian	English
Saya sakit.	I’m sick.
Saya demam.	I have a fever.
Kepala saya sakit.	My head hurts.
Perut saya sakit.	My stomach hurts.
Saya pusing.	I feel dizzy / have a headache.
Saya mual.	I feel nauseous.
Saya muntah.	I’ve been vomiting.
Saya diare.	I have diarrhea.
Saya susah bernapas.	I’m having difficulty breathing.
Saya punya alergi.	I have an allergy.
Saya alergi obat ini.	I’m allergic to this medicine.

One especially useful phrase is:

Sakit di sini.

It hurts here.

You can simply point to the part of your body that hurts.

You can also add:

Sakit sekali. – It hurts a lot.
Dari kemarin. – Since yesterday.
Dari tadi malam. – Since last night.

Questions You May Hear From a Doctor

A doctor or nurse may ask:

Ada keluhan apa?
What’s the problem?

Sakitnya di mana?
Where does it hurt?

Sejak kapan?
Since when?

Ada demam?
Do you have a fever?

Ada alergi obat?
Do you have any medicine allergies?

Sudah minum obat?
Have you taken any medicine?

Short answers are completely fine.

For example:

Sejak kapan sakit?
How long have you been sick?

Dari kemarin.
Since yesterday.

Emergency Numbers in Indonesia

If you live in Indonesia, it is worth saving these numbers before you need them:

Service	Number
Police (Polisi)	110
Fire (Pemadam Kebakaran)	113
Medical Emergency (PSC)	119
Search & Rescue (BASARNAS)	115
Integrated Emergency Service	112*

Police 110 is available nationally and free to call.

Indonesia’s medical emergency system uses PSC 119, while BASARNAS uses 115 for Search and Rescue emergencies.

What About 112?

112 is Indonesia’s integrated emergency number. It can coordinate services such as police, ambulance, fire departments, and disaster response.

However, the system is operated by local governments, so implementation can depend on your location. Calls are free, and participating areas provide 24-hour emergency assistance.

Living in Bali? Save These Numbers Too

If you are based in Bali, keeping a few local contacts on your phone can be useful.

Denpasar

For emergencies in Denpasar:

112 — Integrated Emergency Service
(0361) 223333 — BPBD Denpasar

Denpasar’s emergency service operates 24/7, including public holidays, and covers situations such as accidents, fires, disasters, evacuation needs, and ambulance assistance.

Badung

If you live in areas such as Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak, Jimbaran, or Uluwatu, you are generally within Badung Regency.

For medical emergencies:

112 / 119 – Emergency Hotline
+62 8113-9919-119 – TAKSU Badung

TAKSU Badung provides 24-hour emergency health services across Badung Regency.

Search & Rescue in Bali

For sea accidents, people missing in difficult terrain, or other Search and Rescue situations:

115 – BASARNAS

The Denpasar Search and Rescue Office also uses 115 as its emergency SAR number.

Bali is also currently being developed as a major model for Indonesia’s integrated 112 emergency system, with further coordination between national and local governments announced in September 2026.

Quick Save: Bali Emergency Numbers

Police: 110
Fire: 113
Medical: 119
Search & Rescue: 115
Integrated Emergency: 112

Denpasar BPBD: (0361) 223333
Badung TAKSU: +62 8113-9919-119

Indonesian Phrases for an Emergency

In a real emergency, keep your sentences short.

Tolong!
Help!

Ini darurat.
This is an emergency.

Tolong panggil ambulans!
Please call an ambulance!

Dia tidak sadar.
He/she is unconscious.

Dia tidak bisa bernapas.
He/she cannot breathe.

Dia berdarah banyak.
He/she is bleeding heavily.

Ada kecelakaan.
There has been an accident.

Lokasi saya di…
My location is…

Di mana IGD terdekat?
Where is the nearest emergency department?

When calling for help, try to provide your location, nearby landmark, type of emergency, and the number and condition of anyone injured. Denpasar’s emergency service specifically recommends having this information ready.

At the Pharmacy

A pharmacy is called an apotek.

Try these phrases:

Di mana apotek terdekat?
Where is the nearest pharmacy?

Ada obat untuk sakit kepala?
Do you have medicine for a headache?

Obat ini untuk apa?
What is this medicine for?

Berapa kali sehari?
How many times a day?

Sebelum atau sesudah makan?
Before or after eating?

For prescription medication or anything you are unsure about, always check with a qualified doctor or pharmacist.

Important in Bali: Dog or Monkey Bites

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog, monkey, cat, or another animal that could transmit rabies, take it seriously.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Health recommends immediately washing the wound with soap or detergent and running water for 15 minutes, applying antiseptic, and visiting a Puskesmas or hospital for further treatment.

Useful phrases:

Saya digigit anjing.
I was bitten by a dog.

Saya dicakar monyet.
I was scratched by a monkey.

Saya perlu periksa untuk rabies.
I need to be checked for rabies.

Do not wait for symptoms before seeking medical advice after a potentially risky exposure.

What If You Don’t Understand the Doctor?

These simple phrases can slow the conversation down:

Maaf, bisa bicara lebih pelan?
Sorry, could you speak more slowly?

Bisa ulangi?
Could you repeat that?

Apa artinya?
What does that mean?

Bisa tulis?
Could you write it down?

It is also useful to keep your insurance details, allergies, regular medications, and current address easily accessible on your phone.

5 Indonesian Medical Phrases Worth Remembering

If you remember nothing else, remember these:

Saya perlu dokter. – I need a doctor.
Sakit di sini. – It hurts here.
Saya punya alergi. – I have an allergy.
Ini darurat. – This is an emergency.
Tolong panggil ambulans. – Please call an ambulance.

You may never need them, but knowing them can make a difficult situation a little easier.

FAQ

What is the emergency number in Bali?

For emergencies, save 110 for Police, 119 for medical emergencies, 115 for Search & Rescue, and 113 for Fire. 112 is also an integrated emergency number in participating areas, including services in Denpasar and Badung.

How do you say “I need a doctor” in Indonesian?

Say:

Saya perlu dokter.

What does IGD mean in Indonesia?

IGD stands for Instalasi Gawat Darurat, the Indonesian term for a hospital Emergency Department or ER.

Learn Indonesian for the Moments That Matter

Living in Bali or Indonesia is not only about knowing how to order coffee or chat with friends.

Sometimes, knowing the right words can help when you really need to be understood.