Family agonizes over lack of ICU space

JAKARTA (JP): The lack of an available space in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta has left a man's family fearing that he will die from injuries suffered in a vehicle accident.

"Parulian suffered terrible injuries. We are afraid he will die if he is not moved to the ICU soon," Pamahasa Nainggolan, an uncle of the patient, said at the hospital on Sunday.

Parulian is being treated in the hospital's first aid room which has limited surgical equipment. It lacks privacy as members of the public are free to move in and out of the room.

"Parulian has been treated in the room since Friday morning. Other patients were taken home or moved to better equipped room receiving first aid treatment," said Pamahasa.

He said he requested admittance to Persahabatan Hospital and Saint Carolus Hospital, but their ICUs were also full.

Pamahasa said Parulian, 25, was taken to the hospital after his empty public minivan overturned on Jl. Plumpang Semper in North Jakarta on Friday morning.

"He was overtaking a car when two trucks suddenly appeared at the interchange. He attempted to turn sharply to the right, but the minivan overturned," he said.

Parulian's family lives in Medan, North Sumatra. His father was expected to arrive at the hospital on Sunday evening.

Dr. Malik from Cipto Mangunkusumo said Parulian suffered serious chest injuries, a severe fracture of his left leg and a minor wound to the right side of his face.

"One of his rib was broken and it hit his right lung," he said.

Another physician, Dr. Gusti, said Parulian should undergo surgery to repair his damaged lung and improve his respiration.

"It is not urgent, but space in the ICU is needed to conduct the surgery," he said. (asa)