Hospitals face malpractice complaints

Evi Mariani, Jakarta

A mother of three reported Budi Lestari Hospital in Bekasi on Monday to the Jakarta Police for alleged malpractice.

Herly Hutauruk suspects that her third child, Jeremia, who was born on May 9 at the hospital, suffered a brain hemorrhage during delivery.

She also reported one of the hospital's gynecologists for failing to inform her that there was a problem.

"I suspect my baby suffered a brain hemorrhage because he was delivered naturally, not by Caesarean, even though he was in breach position," Herly said, adding that she and her husband, Sony Sitorus, had heeded the advice of a midwife at the hospital to deliver naturally. The gynecologist apparently did not advise against it.

When the baby had a seizure upon arrival at home the next day, they rushed back to Budi Lestari. The doctor on duty told them to take Jeremia to Hermina Bekasi Hospital, which was better equipped.

However, Hermina lacked the equipment to do a brain scan.

Eventually, the family took the baby to PGI Cikini Hospital in Central Jakarta.

"The doctors said that Jeremia had suffered a brain hemorrhage, allegedly due to a mistake during delivery," Herly said.

Herly accused the hospital and the doctor of violating Article 360 of the Criminal Code on causing impairment through negligence.

In a separate case, Tangerang Police are investigating a gynecologist at Siloam Gleneagles Hospital for alleged malpractice.

"We have summoned the suspect. Questioning is scheduled for Monday," chief of detectives Adj. Comr. Asep Adi Saputra was quoted as saying on Sunday by Tempo News Room.

The hospital and the gynecologist were reported to the police earlier last month by Ade Irma Effendy, 37.

Ade Irma said she had a miscarriage after taking medicine prescribed by the doctor.