BADUNG — Foreign nationals living or vacationing in Bali face a significant challenge in accessing Rh-negative blood types such as A-, B-, AB-, and O-, which are considered rare in Indonesia. This scarcity has become a pressing concern, especially with the growing number of international tourists requiring emergency medical treatment.
According to data from the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia/PMI) Bali, only about 1% of Indonesia’s population has Rh-negative blood, compared to 15–20% in Western countries.
BIMC Hospital Kuta, one of Bali’s leading private hospitals known for its international-standard healthcare services, is among the facilities that have faced difficulties in securing adequate supplies of Rh-negative blood—particularly for foreign patients in emergency situations.
Located on Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai, BIMC Hospital reports ongoing challenges in sourcing Rh-negative blood, a rare blood type critical for treating urgent medical cases.
According to dr. Meike Magnasofa, M.Med (WH), MARS, Director of BIMC Hospital, Rh-negative blood types such as A-, B-, AB-, and O- are extremely rare in Indonesia, including Bali, where the vast majority of residents have Rh-positive blood.
“We often treat foreign tourists who require Rh-negative blood transfusions, especially due to traffic accidents or other medical emergencies. Unfortunately, the local blood banks have very limited supplies,” said dr. Meike on Monday (July 28, 2025) in Kuta, Badung.
This challenge is compounded by the high volume of international visitors to Bali, particularly in Kuta, a major tourism hub.
To help address this crisis, BIMC Kuta has partnered with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and other local hospitals to identify and build a database of individuals—especially expatriates—who have Rh-negative blood and are willing to register as “living donors.”
“We urge the expatriate community in Bali to volunteer as blood donors, as many of them have Rh-negative blood types,” dr. Meike added.
In response to this urgent need, BIMC Hospital Kuta, in collaboration with PMI Bali Province, launched a blood typing initiative titled “Save a Life, Start with Yourself”, conducted together with the Bali Hash House Harriers 2 community.
This initiative aims to raise awareness and build a readily accessible list of Rh-negative individuals who can be contacted quickly in the event of a medical emergency requiring a blood transfusion.
Given the rarity of Rh-negative blood among Indonesians, finding a suitable donor during emergencies is often difficult and time-sensitive. Additionally, donated whole blood only lasts about two weeks, and donors must wait at least two months before donating again.
To overcome this, BIMC Hospital Kuta is currently developing a dedicated contact list of Rh-negative individuals who can be urgently reached when a transfusion is needed.
The blood typing events with Bali Hash House Harriers 2 were held on July 12, 2025, at Titi Garden, Sangeh, and on July 19, 2025, at Desa Pakraman Belayu, Marga, with the next session scheduled for August 2, 2025.
The initiative has been met with strong enthusiasm from community members, many of whom expressed a desire to support the cause and join the Rh-negative donor contact network.
BIMC Hospital Kuta hopes to reach and engage more of Bali’s expatriate community to support this life-saving initiative.***
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