BALI, Indonesia — Indonesian authorities have shut down an illegal beauty clinic in Bali after discovering it had been operating without a valid license while employing foreign medical personnel without proper authorization, in a case that is raising broader questions about oversight in one of Asia’s fastest-growing wellness tourism destinations.
The facility, operating under the name PRIME Skin Clinic, formerly known as Elasto Beauty, was closed following a multi-agency investigation led by Indonesia’s Ministry of Health.
Officials found that the clinic was providing aesthetic and medical beauty treatments despite not being registered within the Ministry of Health’s official healthcare facility database. Investigators also discovered that several foreign healthcare workers from Russia and Armenia had been practicing at the clinic without the permits required under Indonesian law.
“At present, the facility has been handled and shut down,” said Aji Muhawarman, Head of Public Communication and Information at the Ministry of Health, on Friday. “All relevant agencies are prepared to take firm action in accordance with their respective authorities, including healthcare, immigration, labour, and business licensing regulations.”
The enforcement operation involved an unusually broad coalition of government institutions, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Corrections, Manpower, Home Affairs, the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), military intelligence officials, and local health authorities in Bali.
According to the Ministry of Health, the clinic had no valid operational permit and was not listed in Indonesia’s healthcare facility registry. Authorities also alleged that foreign medical personnel were providing services without holding Indonesia’s mandatory Registration Certificate (STR) and Medical Practice License (SIP), both of which are required for healthcare professionals working legally in the country.
The case highlights growing concerns surrounding Bali’s rapidly expanding wellness and aesthetic treatment sector, which has attracted increasing numbers of international visitors seeking cosmetic procedures, dermatology treatments, and wellness services at prices often lower than those found in Australia, Europe, or other parts of Asia.
While Bali has positioned itself as a global wellness destination, authorities warn that unlicensed clinics pose significant risks to patient safety and threaten the credibility of the island’s healthcare and tourism industries.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the case is not simply that violations occurred, but that an unlicensed foreign-operated clinic was reportedly able to conduct business for an extended period before being detected and shut down.
Officials said the closure was intended not only to protect patients but also to preserve confidence in Bali’s reputation as a trusted destination for wellness tourism.
“Practices carried out without proper permits, the use of healthcare workers without legal authorization, and the use of medicines or medical devices that do not meet regulatory requirements are serious violations that cannot be tolerated,” Aji said.
Authorities have secured evidence and supporting documentation as part of an ongoing legal process. Further action may involve healthcare, immigration, employment, and business licensing violations.
The Ministry of Health has urged residents, expatriates, and international visitors to verify the legal status of healthcare providers before undergoing any treatment and to report suspected illegal medical practices through official government channels.
As Bali continues competing with regional wellness hubs such as Thailand and South Korea, the case serves as a reminder that maintaining international trust depends not only on attracting visitors, but also on ensuring that healthcare standards are properly enforced.
