The State News Agency ANTARA reports that a sea ambulance owned and operated by the Nusa Medica Clinic Group is now on standby to expedite healthcare services and sea transfers for residents and tourists in the Nusa Penida District, comprising Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, as well as Bali.
Klungkung Regent I Made Satria, speaking at the inauguration of the Nusa Medica Sea Ambulance at Nusa Ceningan on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, welcomed the new critical service while noting the area’s unique geography—three islands—and the challenges it presents in delivering healthcare services.
”The presence of this sea ambulance will further strengthen our ability to provide faster healthcare services, particularly within the Nusa Penida District,” said Made Satria.
He explained that distance and time constraints have historically hindered medical emergency response in Nusa Penida, especially when patients need specialized care beyond the island group on Bali’s mainland. Similar difficulties arise when accidents or mishaps befall tourists visiting Nusa Penida.
Consequently, the sea ambulance is seen as a way to speed evacuation and support medical treatment.
Satria noted that the local government had long planned a similar program but could not implement a water ambulance due to budget constraints.
He hopes the sea ambulance service will work closely with the local government to ensure faster, high-quality healthcare services in Nusa Penida.
According to Klungkung’s Regent, improving healthcare quality is crucial given Nusa Penida’s rapid tourism growth. Fast and adequate healthcare services are also part of the effort to ensure tourists feel safe and comfortable when visiting the area.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dr. I Gde Yudha Kurniawan,Operations Director of PT Nusa Medica Assistama, said the service is intended for residents and tourists who need advanced medical care. “The primary goal of this Sea Ambulance is to expedite the patient referral process from clinics or primary care facilities to referral hospitals. We have prepared this service for both residents and international tourists, thereby supporting the tourism sector in terms of medical service readiness,” said Yudha.
According to Yudha, sea-based medical transport is crucial for archipelagic regions, as patient referral requires rapid mobility while ensuring medical conditions are monitored and remain stable throughout the journey.
The vessel is equipped with various critical-care medical devices to support the patient’s condition during evacuation, including ventilators, patient monitors, oxygen supplies, and other supporting medical equipment.
Trained, certified medical personnel handle patient transfers to ensure necessary medical care can be administered during the water journey to the referral hospital on Bali’s mainland.
In the Bali region, the new water ambulance evacuation can serve several routes: Nusa Lembongan–Sanur, Nusa Lembongan–Padang Bai, Nusa Penida–Sanur, and Nusa Penida–Padang Bai.
Service coverage can also be extended to Gili Air and Gili Trawangan, depending on need, referrals, and prevailing sailing conditions.
Dr. Yudha noted that conditions requiring referral via sea-based medical transport include head trauma, fractures, severe dehydration due to diarrhea, heart disease, and other medical conditions requiring mainland hospital treatment.
Meanwhile, Ridho Ananda, Call Center Manager at Nusa Medica Assistama, said the readiness of the evacuation fleet depends not only on medical equipment but also on the vessel’s ability to facilitate sea-based transport.
“The fleet utilizes three Yamaha engines with a combined power of 750 horsepower. The vessel measures 11.10 meters in length, 2.70 meters in width, and has a draught of 1.10 meters,” he said.
These specifications were selected to support sea-based medical evacuation, while prioritizing sailing conditions, local port conditions, and patient safety.
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