Toddler dies after being denied treatment

Multa Fidrus ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Tangerang   |  Sun, 12/27/2009 8:16 PM  |  National

Zainudin, from West Jurang Mangu in Pondok Aren district, South Tangerang, could not hide his deep regret at the death of his 2-year-old daughter Naila because she could not get the proper medical treatment.

Zainudin said he could not make the down payment to get his daughter into a pediatric intensive care unit (ICU).

“The hospitals that had ICUs for children were asking for millions of rupiah as a down payment, and I couldn’t afford to pay,” Zainudin said Sunday.

His story began when he took his daughter to Aqidah Hospital in Ciledug late Thursday after she suffered a complication.

The family declined to say what that complication was.

Because the hospital lacked an ICU, it referred them to Bhakti Asih Hospital, also in Ciledug and also without an ICU.

The doctor on duty at Bhakti Asih then referred the family to the much bigger Bintaro International Hospital.

Zainudin said he then called up the hospital for confirmation about the ICU, and was told he would have to pay Rp 10 million in advance and Rp 8 million a day for the treatment in the pediatric ICU.

Because he had no money, he went on, he then contacted JMC Hospital on Jl. Buncit Raya, South Jakarta.

The hospital demanded a down payment of Rp 15 million and daily treatment fees of Rp 4 million.
A call to another hospital, Harapan Kita in West Jakarta, netted a quote for an advance payment of Rp 18 million, Zainudin said.

Flustered with the runaround, he finally decided to leave Naila at Bhakti Asih, putting her fate, as he said, “in God’s hands”.

She died the next morning.

 

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Stephan (not verified), Garut — Sun, 01/03/2010 - 12:32pm

there is a indonesian saying (dont get sick if you cant afford it)

Concerned (not verified), Zimbabwe — Sun, 01/03/2010 - 4:23am

Sadly, more than 20 Indonesian children die every HOUR. Most of these deaths are preventable - but will require political will and accountability by governments (district, national and international), commitment and innovation of communities, individuals and businesses and a growing sense of outrage that THIS IS NOT RIGHT. We can do something if only we realize, Indonesian children are a gift from God and have the right to life. Let 2010 be the year in which Indonesia demonstrates a commitment to LIFE for all children!

Salau (not verified), Yogya — Fri, 01/01/2010 - 7:27am

This ugly incident is just one of many of such ugly incidences that happen in a country like Indonesia in the context of corruption and lack of accountability. Why do you think thousands of Indonesians seek treatment overseas each year for even simple procedure like medical check-up?? The hospital's attitude is just a reflection of the total lack of accountability and corrupt culture in the country. Think of Prita's case and you woun't wonder if this case happened. Think of nenek Minah, think of how other systems have been manipulated and NO BODY cares a damn about it. To be cynical, this unfortunate case is just one of many thounsands that happen in this God-blessed-resource-rich but manipulated-by-ugly-human beings-country. For the country to be strong and respected, Indonesia must first be responsible and accountable to its very own doing. Before we start blaming other countries for evertything happens to the country and our citizens. Shame of you Indonesia.

H. Wippel (not verified), Austria — Thu, 12/31/2009 - 8:10am

In Europe these Doctors would face criminal charges and loose their accreditation as doctors, additionally, their Universities would even withdraw their academic degrees, because they have broken their Hyppocratic Oath

Bob hope (not verified), scotland uk — Wed, 12/30/2009 - 8:48pm

This little girl could have been saved if the hospitals put a life before money, Once when on holiday in asia with no insurance i had to take my 2 year old to a hospital in hong kong, the hospital wanted paying and stuck in a strange country with no insurance i couldnt pay but the doctor said he would treat my child and invoice me later, why cant indonesian hospitals do this, maybe not everybody could pay but the death of a child over money is shocking. Im sure this happens all the time and its just one of thousands of peopel this and other hospitals in indonesia have turned away

Denni Hooping (not verified), Jakarta — Wed, 12/30/2009 - 12:53pm

Djaka............Because the Government are responsible. That is where the buck stops.

Rajjab (not verified), jakarta — Wed, 12/30/2009 - 11:05am

hmm... in this country "the poor are not allowed to be sick"...

Denni Hooping (not verified), Jakarta — Tue, 12/29/2009 - 6:13pm

It is quite obvious from this story that the health service in Indonesia is as corrupt as all other institutions. This is a stain on the humanity. I have two healthy, beautiful, grown up daughters. I feel heartbroken for this family, who will never experience the joy of watching their child grow. The individuals involved, responsible, for this child's death, disgust me. They should bare a deep guilt all of their lives.

Djaka (not verified), yogya — Tue, 12/29/2009 - 5:33pm

Why put the blame to central government? Many health care regulation (esp. hospital) has now been downgraded to provincial or kabupaten level. Some provinces and kabupatens have good public health regulation, providing some free basic medical treatments to all their citizens and acceptably good management. It is difficult to put a uniform standard of health regulation that works to all parts of Indonesia; hence, lower level of administration. I think it is South Tangerang Municipality officials who should take bigger responsibility (and you know before how they run their administration).

Henrymanoe (not verified), Kupang — Tue, 12/29/2009 - 8:10am

As a father of two young children, I cried after reading the story. Think about the thousands of children across our country who could not even have made it to a hospital or even see a doctor or a nurse for the simple fact that there are not such health services/facilities. Why? to a large extent because of poor governance and planning, and of course corruption. Look at my province NTT: most people go without ANY health services, hence child mortality is so very high. This is not because the government's budget is inadequate. It is because there is no governance with capacity to carry out its mandate. Lack of (responsible) leadership, lack of trained civil servants, lack of facilities etc. etc. Not a lack of budget funds! Still, out elected leaders are living a good and secure life without the moral responsibility they were elected for.
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