Sea ambulance begins medical transfers around Nusa Penida

In brief: A dedicated medical evacuation boat was inaugurated at Bias Munjul Harbor on 22 September 2026, expanding the transport options available to patients around Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan; it is operated by Nusa Medica Clinic Group and is intended for cases where patients need care beyond what local facilities can provide.

The launch was confirmed by the Klungkung Regency administration and attended by Regent I Made Satria. For residents considering a longer stay on these islands, the development addresses a particular part of emergency care: getting a patient across the water to an appropriate receiving hospital. It does not change the range of treatment available inside every local clinic.

An ambulance designed for the journey to a referral hospital

Geography has long complicated urgent referrals from the Nusa islands. The regent described distance and travel time as obstacles when specialist care is needed off-island. Unlike an ordinary passenger boat, Nusa Medica's vessel has equipment intended to support medical care during a transfer. The administration's launch report lists a ventilator, oxygen supply, cardiac monitoring and other emergency medical equipment, alongside trained medical staff.

The boat is based at Bias Munjul on Nusa Ceningan. Nusa Medica identifies Sanur and Padang Bai on mainland Bali as possible receiving-side routes for transfers from Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. A patient's destination and the suitability of a particular sea passage need to be coordinated case by case. Public descriptions of the equipment should not be taken as a promise that every specialist or procedure will be available aboard on every trip.

The helpline operates 24 hours, but journey times are not fixed

In guidance dated 28 September, Nusa Medica said its coordination centre can receive evacuation requests around the clock on +62 818 0881 1911. Callers can provide the patient's location and medical circumstances so that the team can consider the transfer and destination. The operator also says its coverage extends beyond the three Nusa islands, although this launch primarily concerns their access to medical transport.

There is no published standard fare or guaranteed arrival time in the launch materials. Nor do they establish that all insurance policies cover a private sea ambulance. Families and long-term residents should establish in advance whether their insurer requires approval, which local medical provider would make the referral and which hospital could accept the patient. Weather, accessibility and the patient's needs may all affect arrangements.

The company said at the inauguration that it hoped the service would eventually be integrated with the local government's SPGDT 119 emergency-response system. That was an ambition, not confirmation that integration had already been completed. Someone facing an immediate medical emergency should seek emergency medical assistance promptly; this vessel provides an additional option when an appropriate transfer by sea is needed.

• ANTARA News Bali — “Ambulans laut percepat layanan kesehatan warga dan wisatawan di Nusa Penida-Lembongan”, 22 September 2026.
• Nusa Medica — “How to Contact a Sea Ambulance in Bali: Save This Number”, 28 September 2026.
• Nusa Medica — “Nusa Medica Sea Ambulance”, publication date not stated.