Doctor Icha Confided in Colleague: 'I Panicked, They Shouted at Me'
A doctor in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Dr Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, also known as Dr Icha (27), was found dead by hanging in her residence.
Before her death, Dr Icha had shared her distress with a colleague, Dr Tri Maharani, a specialist in toxicology. Dr Maharani, a recognised expert in venomous snake toxicology in Indonesia, noted that Dr Icha had consulted her regarding a snakebite case. Dr Maharani stated that during the incident on 13 June, Dr Icha called her multiple times in a state of fear and panic.
Dr Maharani recounted that Dr Icha claimed she was shouted at and reprimanded by the patient’s family, who even demanded her full name. According to the specialist, Dr Icha had explained that the patient’s laboratory and physical results were normal and only required immobilisation rather than anti-venom, but the family—which included members of the regional parliament (DPRD)—refused to accept the medical explanation.
Dr Maharani noted that Dr Icha had even apologised to the family because they remained angry. “She told me, ‘Doctor, I’m sorry, I’m panicking, I am being shouted at and scolded,’” Maharani said, adding that the young doctor was a kind person.
Dr Maharani stated she is prepared to testify if required and has preserved all WhatsApp messages from Dr Icha as evidence. The incident reportedly began when two members of the TTU Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), Norbertus Tubani from PKB and Therensius Lazakar from the Golkar Party, arrived at the Leona Hospital Emergency Room. They were treating a child who had been bitten by a green snake and was a referral from RSUD Kefamenanu.
Witnesses at the scene alleged that the two officials arrived appearing to be under the influence of alcohol and spoke to Dr Icha in an aggressive tone while she was performing her medical duties. The incident is believed to have caused profound trauma for Dr Icha, who underwent intensive care for psychological pressure before being found dead at her parents’ home in Kupang on Friday, 26 June 2026.