Bali International Hospital in Sanur Special Economic Zone introduces TAVI procedure for heart treatment
Denpasar — Bali International Hospital (BIH) in the Sanur Health Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has officially introduced the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure to treat heart conditions.
“Today marks a historic milestone. We are proud to announce the success of our medical team in performing the first TAVI procedure at this hospital. As part of the Sanur Health SEZ, we are committed to providing world-class medical services that Indonesians have previously had to seek abroad,” said Noel Yeo, Chief of Commercial & Operations at Bali International Hospital, in Denpasar on Monday.
Yeo explained that the introduction of the TAVI procedure has been supported by Hong Kong Asia Medical Group (HKAMG), with successful implementation demonstrated through a surgical procedure performed on 7 March 2026 by Balinese cardiologist Dr I Made Junior Rina Artha, Sp.JP, SubSp.Kl.,IKKv(K).
The introduction of this advanced procedure addresses government expectations for the Sanur Health SEZ to ensure that the approximately 2 million Indonesians who travel abroad for medical treatment no longer need to do so.
“Today’s successful procedure demonstrates that our facilities, medical expertise and technology are ready to handle complex cardiac cases with minimal risk to patients. For us, TAVI is not merely a medical procedure — it is a symbol of our vision to make Bali a leading medical tourism destination in Southeast Asia. We want to ensure every local and international patient receives the most innovative and compassionate care,” Yeo said.
Cardiologist I Made Junior Rina Artha explained that this TAVI procedure is the first of its kind in Bali.
It is a heart valve replacement procedure that does not require open surgery. The process takes approximately 2 hours and involves making a small incision in the groin or femoral artery, through which a new valve is inserted to replace the damaged valve.
“The patient we treated was a 78-year-old who suffered from severe aortic valve stenosis, which caused shortness of breath and fatigue. The procedure proceeded smoothly and the patient is currently in stable condition in the recovery room,” he said.
This procedure carries lower risks and faster recovery times compared to conventional surgery, with patients able to be discharged within 48-72 hours, making it a viable alternative.
Hong Kong Asia Medical Group CEO Steven Tse stated that his presence in Indonesia is to help strengthen access to quality cardiac care across the Asia region.
Besides Bali’s strategic location and market demand for such services, Tse said the choice of the Sanur Health SEZ was because of the pleasure of working with the local team.
The government-supported Sanur Health SEZ is built to international standards with modern facilities that make Hong Kong doctors willing to assist.
“Every road to recovery begins with the environment, and look at this hospital — it’s almost like paradise. Our doctors enjoy being here; they feel relaxed. That’s why we are confident being in Bali within this special economic zone, which has many supportive policies,” he said.