Facts from Ministry of Health Investigation into Intern Doctor's Death
The Ministry of Health has reported the results of its investigation into the death of intern doctor Myta Aprilia Azmy in Jambi. The young doctor was previously interning at RSUD KH Daud Arif, Jambi. She passed away on Friday, 1 May 2026. The Ministry of Health has found several investigation results regarding Myta’s death. Here are the important facts that need to be known:
Alleged Manipulation of Work Schedules
The Ministry of Health has found allegations of work schedule manipulation in the case of the death of intern doctor Myta Aprilia Azmy at RSUD KH Daud Arif, Kuala Tungkal, Jambi. Acting Inspector General of the Ministry of Health Rudi Supriatna Nata Saputra stated that the allegation was carried out by the supervising doctor with initials J.
The Ministry of Health showed screenshots of WhatsApp conversations containing requests to change the recapitulation of intern doctors’ attendance. The changes were allegedly made so that the work schedules appeared compliant with regulations during the Ministry of Health’s inspection.
According to Rudi, intern doctors in the emergency department work two shifts of 12 hours each per day. However, Ministry of Health regulations limit maximum working hours to 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. “We found an attempt by the supervisor to manipulate the attendance schedule of internship participants,” said Rudi during a press conference at the Ministry of Health, Jakarta, on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
Myta Continued Working Despite Being Ill
The investigation results show that Myta began experiencing fever, cough, and runny nose since 26 March 2026. However, she continued to perform night shift duties in the emergency department while self-medicating.
Her condition continued to worsen due to not receiving any days off. On 13 April 2026, Myta even celebrated her birthday in the emergency department while hooked up to an IV after a night shift.
On 15 April, her family lost contact with her. Myta was then found disoriented under the stairs of her boarding house and still wanted to go to work.
Intern Doctors Never Received Days Off
Director General of Health Human Resources at the Ministry of Health Yuli Farianti stated that intern doctors at RSUD KH Daud Arif never received days off during their internship.
On weekends that should have been rest time, intern doctors were still required to visit patient wards. Additionally, there were shift targets that had to be met, so intern doctors feared their internship would be extended if they did not meet the targets.
The Ministry of Health assesses that such a work system forces intern doctors to continue working even as their health condition declines.
Hospital Allegedly Allowed Intern Doctors to Handle Patients Alone
The Ministry of Health’s investigation also found allegations that the hospital handed over full patient handling to intern doctors without supervision from senior doctors, especially at night.
According to Rudi, this condition contradicts the purpose of the internship programme, which should be carried out under the guidance of supervising doctors. “Without guidance, there is a risk of errors in patient handling in the emergency department,” said Rudi.
The Ministry of Health considers this condition to be one of the serious issues in the implementation of the internship programme at that hospital.
Ministry of Health to Audit and Tighten Work Hour Rules
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the investigation results will be followed up with a medical audit by the Professional Discipline Council. The audit is targeted to be completed within one week. “It’s better if we wait for the medical audit results to see the actual status,” he said.
The Ministry of Health is also tightening rules for intern doctors’ work following this case coming to light. Hospitals are now required to provide at least one day off per week for intern doctors.
In addition, the Ministry of Health will no longer allow additional working hours tolerance. Intern doctors are only permitted to work a maximum of 8 hours per day or in accordance with new government regulations.