Hospital accused of negligence

JAKARTA: The family of Marpha Manulang, 25, has accused St. Carolus Hospital in Central Jakarta of negligence that led to blindness and paralysis.

Tangkas Manulang told the police on Friday that his sister Marpha had been treated at the hospital on Dec. 27, 2004, for inflammation of the throat. She was discharged on Jan. 31.

"Before leaving the hospital, the doctors gave her a vitamin injection, but she screamed in pain and red marks appeared on her skin where the nurse injected her," he said.

The next day, she was covered in a rash.

The doctors said on Feb. 5 that she probably had the Steven Johnson syndrome -- a hypersensitivity to drugs that can be fatal.

"She has not been able to move for the past 20 days, and doctors said she has a blood clot behind her eyes," Manulang added.

He said the hospital had promised to free them of all medical expenses, but the family still received bills. -- Antara