Hospitals face malpractice complaints

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.