Government Closes Illegal Foreign-Owned Beauty Clinic in Bali

JAKARTA - The government closed an illegal beauty clinic in Bali after it was proven to have provided medical aesthetic services without a license and illegally employed foreign medical personnel (WNA).

The Head of the Ministry of Health's Public Communication and Information Bureau, Aji Muhawarman, said that the closure of PRIME Skin Clinic, which was previously called Elasto Beauty, was a quick response by the government to protect the public from medical practices that endanger health.

"This law enforcement step in the form of closure is not only to protect the community, but also to maintain the international community's trust in Bali as a safe, quality, and reliable health (wellness tourism) destination," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, June 17.

He explained that this step was based on the results of intensive investigations and coordination led by the Ministry of Health together with cross-ministry and agencies.

Previously, the Ministry of Health had held a tactical coordination meeting involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, the Ministry of Manpower, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), the BAIS TNI, and the Bali Provincial Health Service and Badung Regency as the parties who carried out the executions in the field.

Based on the results of the investigation, he said, the facility was confirmed to be completely unregistered in the Ministry of Health's Health Service Facility Registration system. In addition to not having a formal operational permit, the clinic was found to employ a number of medical personnel and foreign health personnel from Russia and Armenia, without valid licensing documents.

According to regulations in Indonesia, he said, medical services can only be carried out by health workers who have the appropriate competence and must have a Registration Certificate (STR) and Practice Permit (SIP) issued by official authorities in Indonesia.

In following up on the findings, Aji explained that the Health Office in the region together with related institutions had moved to the field to secure facts and supporting evidence to strengthen the subsequent legal process.

"Currently, the facility has been followed up and closed. All cross-sectoral agencies have expressed their readiness to take firm action in accordance with their respective authorities, both in terms of health, immigration, and business permits," said Aji.

He reminded that the practice without a permit, the use of labor without STR and SIP, as well as the use of drugs and health equipment without a distribution permit is a serious violation that the government cannot tolerate.

"The Ministry of Health is committed to protecting the community through monitoring the quality of services. Any violations will be dealt with firmly in accordance with applicable laws in order to maintain the integrity of the national health system," he said.

His party appealed to the public to always be critical and only access health services at facilities that have official permits and are handled by competent medical personnel and have certificates.

The public can also verify the legality of health facilities and medical personnel by participating in the mandi and reporting suspected illegal practices through official government complaint channels.