A

n patient that underwent orthopedic surgery at the non-subsidy Cipto Mangunkusumo Kencana Hospital (RSCM Kencana), in Central Jakarta has accused the hospital of negligence relating to the removal of a metal rod and pins from his leg.

The patient, Harun, speaking through his lawyer Zentoni from the Bogor Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Bogor), said that the hospital had received a letter demanding settlement.

'€œI sent an official letter on Friday, demanding that they pay Rp 1 billion [US$85,966] in compensation, but they have not responded,'€ Zentoni told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

According to Zentoni, in 2007 Harun broke his right leg in a motorcycle accident. The fracture was secured by Fatmawati Hospital, South Jakarta, with a 30-centimeter rod and pins. In early 2014, a doctor said Harun'€™s leg had fully recovered and the rod could be removed.

Rod removal surgery, which cost Harun Rp 23 million, was undertaken at RSCM Kencana on April 1. After the surgery, the doctor said everything had been removed.

'€œMy client went to another doctor a few days later because he felt that something was wrong with his leg,'€ Zentoni said, adding that an X-ray showed a 5 cm pin remained in his client'€™s right leg.

The president director of RSCM, C.H. Soejono, said he was unaware of Harun'€™s case or any letter sent by LBH Bogor.

'€œI will look into it but I am sure that the hospital will take care of it,'€ he said.

According to him, negligence allegations were unusual and in some cases it was the patient who had failed to take care of his or herself, not the doctor providing the treatment.

'€œThere are a lot factors. The patient might not have shown up for appointments or ignored doctor'€™s instructions,'€ he said.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Indonesian Health Consumers Empowerment Foundation (YPKKI), Marius Widjajarta, said that Harun should bring his case to the Indonesian Medical Disciplinary Honorary Board (MKDKI).

'€œThe board has the authority to process a case like this,'€ Marius told the Post.

He added that a hospital had an obligation to provide clear and honest information about the treatment or condition of patients. '€œIn this case, the board should know whether Harun was informed
that a pin was left in his leg or not,'€ Marius said.

He added that if the board found the hospital guilty, this would be very firm evidence to present in court.

Zentoni said that he would wait for the hospital'€™s response before taking any further legal action, but underlined that his client was ready to fight for his rights. (idb)