REGULATION - A government team that is investigating the death of a baby after receiving treatment at Mitra Keluarga Hospital in Kali Deres, West Jakarta, is planning to impose administrative sanctions on the hospital in the wake of suspected negligence in organizing a treatment that led to her death.
The team, comprising the Jakarta Health Agency and the Health Ministry, is considering giving reprimands or imposing fines on the hospital. The heaviest sanction of revoking their operation permit, however, is ruled out since the hospital is the only health facility in the area.
“If we revoke the hospital permit, it will disrupt health services. What about residents living in the area?” said Koesmedi Priharto, the agency head, at City Hall on Wednesday.
Four-month-old Tiara Deborah Simanjorang died at the hospital on Sept. 3 after the hospital refused to provide intensive treatment in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) because her parents did not have enough money to pay the required advance payment. She had received treatment at the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU).
The baby is actually covered by national health insurance (JKN), which covers the PICU treatment, but the hospital claimed they did not know about the matter. (wnd/wit)