Indonesia looks to become hub for medical tourism, plans to capitalise on ‘penis enlargement’ massage

Indonesia is looking to build and further its tourism industry, this time focusing on the medical services and alternative treatments that the nation offers. Indonesia’s Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto even noted recently that the country should capitalise on their “penis enlargement” massage, in addition to other therapeutic services that will draw in medical tourists.

Indonesia has much more to offer than what it’s known for—gorgeous beaches, beautiful tropical islands, mystic temples, stunning rice terraces and a plethora of marine life. The southeast Asian nation has also made a name for itself as a one-stop destination for medical tourism, where traditional or unconventional healing methods are a-plenty, with local remedies that soothe body aches and all sorts of ailments to treating mental and even spiritual illnesses.

Speaking of boosting the medical tourism industry in Indonesia, Minister Terawan said that the country should look to promote the traditional “penis enlargement” massage offered locally.

Known as Mak Erot in the local tongue, the genital massage for males is believed to be an alternative treatment for penis elongation and growth, something that might be of interest to travellers and medical tourists.

Vice Indonesia reported that Terawan called the massage a “national asset” that has the potential to attract people from all over the world.

“We must popularise the idea of traditional medicine for tourism,” said Terawan, who also spoke of the “incredible herbal medicine industry that no one knows about outside Indonesia”.

Terawan cited other local remedies that could help attract medical tourists to the country, such as Tongkat Ali (a leaf that is said to contribute to muscle mass and athletic performance), Purwaceng (a Viagra-like substance) and Kerok (a treatment for multiple ailments where a coin is rubbed against the skin of the back with menthol ointment). Kerok is meant to increase and promote blood and oxygen circulation in the body.

“Don’t underestimate Kerok,” said Terawan. “If we had 100 rooms and it takes 20 minutes per person, imagine how much revenue that would generate.”

In recent years, people have been much more receptive to and have turned to natural remedies and more traditional healing methods to treat daily ailments and even illnesses.

“There are many other cultural gems that we have not exploited because we take them for granted, but to foreigners, it’s something intriguing,” he added, also saying, “If we package it [the local remedies] correctly, foreigners will be interested.”

/TISG