Heartbreak as Two-Day-Old Baby Dies After Obstacles in Obtaining Medication
A married couple, Arif Rahman (28) and Fitriani (20), have lost their baby boy who was just two days old. The infant died at the Bima Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
Family representative Ahyar explained that the baby was born at Monta Community Health Centre, Bima Regency, on Friday afternoon (19/6). Due to his poor condition shortly after birth, the baby from Tolo Uwi Village, Monta District, Bima Regency, was referred to RSUD Bima. “He was born at Monta Health Centre but his condition was critical, so he was referred to RSUD Bima,” Ahyar said on Saturday (20/6/2026).
Upon arrival at RSUD Bima by Monta Health Centre ambulance, the baby initially received treatment from the medical team. However, according to Ahyar, the subsequent treatment process was hindered because the patient had not yet been registered as a BPJS Kesehatan participant.
Ahyar stated that the family had requested to redeem the medication for the unfortunate baby independently, without using BPJS. The family even offered their identity cards as collateral while waiting for money to be sent from their village. However, Ahyar continued, the hospital staff made the process of obtaining the medicine difficult. “Because he was not yet registered with BPJS, the pharmacy staff at RSUD Bima made it difficult to redeem the medicine. Even though the baby’s condition was very urgent and he needed the medication,” Ahyar said.
Ahyar added that the family was asked to transfer the mother’s BPJS membership to the patient in order to obtain the medicine. Shortly afterwards, the baby, who was in critical condition, was pronounced dead. The baby’s body was then taken to Tolouwi by ambulance for burial. “We deeply regret this incident. We strongly condemn the actions of the RSUD Bima,” Ahyar stated.
RSUD Bima director Ihsan responded to the death of the baby boy born to Arif Rahman and Fitriani. Ihsan claimed that the patient’s treatment was in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOP). “The deceased patient received continuous medical services while undergoing treatment in the ICU at RSUD Bima,” Ihsan said on Saturday.
Based on the examination and assessment by the medical team, Ihsan stated that the baby was brought to RSUD Bima in a very critical condition. Furthermore, the unfortunate baby had complex health disorders that required intensive care and strict medical monitoring. Ihsan explained that patients in critical condition with various complications carry a very high level of risk. Therefore, he continued, the final outcome of the service is greatly influenced by the underlying disease condition. Ihsan asserted that the necessary medical efforts had been carried out optimally.
“RSUD Bima always upholds patient safety, professionalism, and humanitarian values in every service provided,” Ihsan said. He also conveyed his deepest condolences over the baby’s death. He expressed hope that the public would respond to the information wisely and maintain a conducive atmosphere by respecting the grief being experienced by the patient’s family. “We also respect the attention, input, and concern from the community as part of a joint effort to continuously improve the quality of health services,” Ihsan concluded.