Leaders of Nusa Penida propose the creation of a water ambulance service to quickly respond to emergencies.
Currently, the islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, located near Bali, do not have large hospitals. The existing small clinics are unable to provide assistance in emergency situations, and patients must be transported to Bali by boat or evacuated by helicopter.
Nyoman Suwirta, a member of the Bali Regional Legislative Assembly, emphasized the urgent need to accelerate the development of maritime tourism infrastructure on Nusa Penida. The island hosts thousands of visitors daily, and every month there are cases of illnesses or injuries among tourists.
Suwirta advocates for the funds collected from snorkeling and marine tourism taxes to be directed toward improving the tourism infrastructure on Nusa Penida, including medical services. He stressed the need for the island to have a water ambulance or at least a large patrol boat for emergencies.
Additionally, he proposed the idea of creating a floating hospital to enhance the safety of diving and snorkeling activities. Suwirta expressed concern that with the growing number of such tours, the risk of injuries and illnesses among tourists also increases.
On September 25, a Chinese tourist died while snorkeling at Manta Point. His body was found in the water 10 minutes after he jumped from the boat. Despite first aid and transportation to the Nusa Medical Clinic, doctors were unable to revive him.
This incident sparked a wave of complaints among locals and tourism company owners, demanding improved safety for tourists. A water ambulance could significantly reduce the likelihood of such tragedies in the future, as it would allow for rapid response to accidents during snorkeling or diving. Quick medical assistance on the water would increase the chances of saving victims by reducing the time needed for transportation to hospitals or clinics in Bali. However, this does not eliminate the need for tour operators to strictly enforce safety measures and monitor the health of tourists before engaging in water activities.
Sources: balipost.com
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