Baby's Hand Swollen and Perforated After IV Drip, Parents File Police Report Against Makassar Hospital

The parents of a nine-month-old baby identified by the initials ASA have reported RS Paramount Makassar to the police after their child’s hand became swollen and developed holes following an intravenous drip. The parents had initially sent a formal demand letter (somasi), but it was ignored.

The report was registered under Police Receipt Letter Number STPL/400/II/2026/SPKT/Polrestabes Makassar/Polda Sulsel on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. The complaint alleges criminal conduct by healthcare professionals as stipulated under Article 440 of Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health.

“Yes, I immediately took legal action and have filed a report with the Polrestabes [metropolitan police]. The report concerns suspected malpractice,” said the victim’s mother, Nurjannah, on Friday, 20 February.

She confirmed that she had undergone questioning at the Makassar metropolitan police headquarters on Thursday, 19 February. Investigators subsequently requested that the baby undergo a forensic medical examination (visum) at RS Bhayangkara Makassar.

“The progress is still pending the forensic examination results from RS Bhayangkara. The examination was conducted on 18 February, as requested by the police investigators. After my statement was taken, the investigators provided the referral letter for the forensic examination,” she explained.

The mother expressed her hope that the police would see the case through to completion. She noted that her child’s hand is no longer symmetrical compared to before, despite the swelling having largely subsided.

“There are still holes and slight swelling, and moreover my child’s hand has been measured and the dimensions are no longer consistent. The size and shape are different from the other hand. It’s asymmetrical,” she explained.