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[Ozzy2]

Does any one have any experience of the availability of western prescription medicines and english speaking doctors and Pharmacists when you get outside of Jakarta?

cheers

Ozzy 2

[Ozindo]

Outside Jakarta is a very big area. Any specific areas?

[Ozzy2]

Hi, Ozindo,
I will looking for cities with at least a million population, becasue I don't want to be in any rural area.
That means Medan, Bandung, Surabaya, Palembang and Semarang.
I am only starting to research Indonesia, but need a place where I couldget english speaking doctors or pharmacies if necessary.

Which areas are you familiar with please, Ozindo.

And are ther any in that list you would reject out of hand?

Thanks for responding. cheers Ozzy

[Ozindo]

Can't speak for Palembang or Semarang, but in Medan, Bandung and Surabaya I have had experience of seeking medical help for a relative, each time at a hospital. Care was at an acceptable standard, carers spoke enough English to make communication effective, and medications were available via prescription at pharmacies.
Other Indonesian cities also have similar facilities.
My relative had a fairly common ailment in each case, which could have resulted in the communication being relatively simple and treatment being easily available.
If you have a chronic condition, you have probably learnt to manage it yourself with the support of a doctor. In which case, bring a letter from that doctor with you, which will make it easier to continue your health care.
If you are worried about developing some other condition, maybe I can offer more advice.
I hasten to add I can only speak from my own experience. You, of course, muct make your own health decisions.
Whatever you decide, all the best.

[Ozzy2]

OK, Let's narrow that down to Java (unless theres a really good reason not to.) That means Bandung, Semarang and Surabaya, and Yogyakarta right?

I'm trying to find if there's a major choice to be about liveability between these places: any thoughts?

Oz

[Ozindo]

Your liveability and mine could be very different. For me, Bogor was always my first choice. It hasn't let me down. Other places that appealed were Jogja, Surabaya - probably out of the city a bit, Bandung. But I've found in my travels that adequate health care is available in some quite surprising places. I guess it goes with managing a relative's chronic condition and common sense. Many years ago we made the choice to manage the condition rather than allow the condition to manage us. For us, that means being informed, then taking things as they come. Happily, that has meant we've been able to manage the condition as well as we would have in our "home" country.
That was our choice. It worked for us.
It could be a very different scenario for you.
Again, good luck. Happy to help with advice if I can.

[malu]