Doctor Icha Pakaenoni Passes Away After Alleged Intimidation Incident
Dr. Icha Pakaenoni, a physician at Leona Hospital in Kefamenanu, North Central Timor Regency (TTU), East Nusa Tenggara, has passed away. The family confirmed the news on Friday evening, though they stated the official cause of death is still awaiting the results of a medical examination.
Her uncle, Viktor Manbait, received the information from Kupang. “Around 6:30 p.m. WITA this evening, I received news from Mr. Gabriel Pakaenoni in Kupang that Doctor Icha has returned to the Father’s house in heaven,” Viktor Manbait told Media Indonesia on Friday night.
Dr. Icha’s name recently came into the public spotlight after her family revealed she had experienced alleged intimidation while on duty in the Emergency Department (IGD) of Leona Hospital. The incident reportedly involved two members of the TTU Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).
According to the family’s account, the incident occurred on Saturday, 13 June, when Dr. Icha was treating a child who was a victim of a venomous snakebite, a referral patient from Kefamenanu Regional General Hospital. The family explained that Dr. Icha had carried out the treatment according to standard operating procedures, including consulting with a specialist. The consultation concluded that the patient was not yet recommended for the therapy requested by the family, as the hospital did not have the specific medication in stock.
The patient’s family reportedly did not accept this medical explanation. One of the individuals, who identified himself as a TTU DPRD member, allegedly protested loudly. Another DPRD member later arrived and also questioned the medical handling of the case. The situation caused Dr. Icha significant psychological distress.
Following the confrontation, Dr. Icha’s condition reportedly deteriorated. She was found in a weak state by a colleague and was subsequently hospitalised at RS Leona. Viktor Manbait stated that before her death, Dr. Icha had confided that she was still experiencing fear and trauma from the pressure she faced during the incident.
Prior to her passing, Dr. Icha had briefly left her treatment room on Monday, 22 June, to formally report the alleged intimidation to the TTU DPRD Honorary Board and the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) TTU branch, accompanied by the Head of the TTU Health Office.
TTU DPRD Chairman Kristoforus Efi confirmed that the two individuals involved were indeed members of the council and stated that the matter would be handled according to the DPRD’s code of conduct. He also mentioned that one of the members, Rober Tubani, had denied the intimidation allegations, claiming they only raised their voice to question the medical procedure. The member has since apologised to the hospital’s management and opened the possibility of mediation with the doctor’s family.