Family agonizes over lack of ICU space

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)