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Calls for negligence investigation in baby’s death
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Healthcare card: Health insurance firm PT Askes’ director Sri Endang Tidarwati shows a health insurance card in Jakarta, in this file photo. The BPJS Kesehatan (Healthcare and Social Security Agency) scheme became effective on Jan. 1, 2014. (JP/-)
T
he death of 4-month-old Tiara Deborah Simanjorang over the weekend at Mitra Keluarga Hospital in West Jakarta has brought questions regarding the responsibility of healthcare providers in helping poor patients, and if long the process mandated by the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) had contributed to the tragedy.
Parents of Deborah, Rudianto Simanjorang and Henny Silalahi, claimed the girl died after the hospital declined to provide medical treatment because they could not afford the down payment.
According to a Facebook post published by social media activist Birgaldo Sinaga, who first broke the story on Friday, Deborah’s parents brought her to the hospital on Sept. 3 after the girl suffered from severe coughing and short of breath.
A doctor provided the necessary treatments, but suggested the parents send Tiara to the intensive care unit (ICU) for further care. The ICU treatment at the hospital would cost them Rp 19.8 million (US$1,499), and they were required to pay Rp 11 million as a down payment.
Tiara’s parents only had Rp 5 million on hand, which led to the hospital’s rejection even though they promised to pay the remaining fee by noon that day.
According to the management of Mitra Keluarga Hospital in a statement posted on its website, Tiara was admitted to the hospital at 3:40 a.m. She was unconscious and her body had turned blue. The patient, the statement said, was born premature, suffered from congenital heart disease and malnutrition.
A doctor at the hospital had carried out necessary procedures before suggesting the parents admit the baby to the ICU for further treatment. However, the patient’s parents objected because of financial concerns.
