Bali, Dec 8: A medical tourism Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is being developed in Indonesia under the aegis of  PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (Injourney), through its subsidiary PT Hotel Indonesia Natour, and Indonesia Healthcare Corporation (IHC).

The SEZ will come up at Bali Province’s Sanur area and the works on the Bali International Hospital in Denpasar City within the SEZ has already started. Mayo Clinic, USA, is collaborating with it. The 300-room facility will provide various medical services, including cancer treatment and cardiac surgery and is expected to be over by the middle of next year.

The Indonesian Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises has launched the SEZ as a priority project to boost the nation’s economy. Indonesian’s will have the option of seeking medical treatment in the country itself rather than going to Malaysia. Indonesia estimates that over US$ 6 billion is going out from the country for seeking better treatment elsewhere with over two million Indonesians taking the route.

Indonesia also hopes to attract medical value travellers to the country through this venture. Indonesia expects 240,000 patients to seek treatment at the facility by the turn of the decade. IHC already has 75 hospitals and 143 clinics across the country.

The Grand Inna Bali Beach Tower Hotel, Grand Inna Bali Beach Garden, and the construction of a Convention Centre will be upgraded as part of the SEZ project to boost medical value travel.