Investigation into Death of PPDS Doctor at Kandou Hospital Still Ongoing

The Ministry of Health’s Head of Communication and Public Information, Aji Muhawarman, stated that the ministry is still investigating the alleged death of Adrian Rantung, a doctor in the Anaesthesiology Specialist Education Programme (PPDS) at Prof. Dr. R.D. Kandou General Hospital in Manado. “It is still in the investigation process,” Aji said when contacted on Wednesday, 8 July 2026.

Aji explained that the investigation is being conducted by a joint team from the Ministry of Health, the Indonesian Medical Council, the Anaesthesiology College, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. While the investigation is ongoing, educational activities in the anaesthesiology study programme at Kandou Hospital have been temporarily suspended. “Only the educational activities are suspended, not the study programme itself,” he said.

Aji added that PPDS activities at Kandou Hospital will resume once the investigation team has delivered its findings. Adrian was found lifeless in his boarding room in Manado, North Sulawesi, on Sunday, 5 July 2026. In a decree numbered HK.02.03/D.XV/5427/2026, the President Director of RSUP Kandou, Starry Homenta Rampengan, stated that the hospital is conducting an internal and integrated investigation together with the Faculty of Medicine at Sam Ratulangi University. The decree, issued on Tuesday, 6 July 2026, ordered the temporary suspension of learning activities for the Anaesthesiology study programme at Prof. Dr. R.D. Kandou General Hospital until the handling of the alleged bullying case is completed.