Hospital refuses critical patient

Hospital refuses critical patient

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: A private-owned hospital has reportedly refused to treat M. Musa, who was in critical condition after he was stabbed twice by a group of robbers, unless the patient paid Rp 500,000 (US$ 220) in advance.

Antara reported on Monday that Musa was brought by a friend, identified only as Adv, to the hospital in Jl. Teuku Umar Kedaton on Thursday night.

Although he was bleeding profusely, Musa had to be brought back home because his friend failed to convince the hospital administrators to admit him.

A number of relatives then pitched in to raise the money, and took Musa back to the hospital. He was operated on two hours after he was first brought there, and is currently convalescing at home.

"Even though Musa was eventually helped, the whole affair was regrettable. What would have happened if we couldn't raise the money?" a relative said. "Had he died, we would have ransacked the hospital."

Hospital director Dr. Ronald Lisal promised to look into the complaint. (swe)