Lack of treatment at Medistra

My four-year-old son suffers from asthma. He was taken to Medistra at about 7:45 a.m. on Feb. 27, under the advice of our regular pediatrician, having been taken seriously ill in the early morning hours. We hoped Dr. Bathuna or Dr. Soedigdo -- pediatricians attached to Medistra -- would see him.

My child was told to wait in the emergency room for Dr. Bathuna. His condition was poor, breathing difficult and oxygen level (which we found out later at another clinic) very low. Dr. Bathuna, upon arrival at the hospital, was informed regarding the patient in the emergency room. He was called again at 9:30 a.m. but we did not receive any response. After waiting for almost one hour, my wife went to Dr. Bathuna's clinic to ask why he could not spare time for an emergency patient. Dr. Bathuna shouted at her and asked her to leave his room. Upon being asked what we should do for the child in such an emergency, he said, "You can take him home."

This was a shock to us and we were extremely miserable. My son was ultimately taken to SOS with a severe lung infection (possible pneumonia), poor breathing, and a dangerously low oxygen level. Knowing that the patient was having an asthma attack any doctor should have been aware of how serious the condition was.

The doctors at SOS were amazed that a patient in such a condition was allowed to leave and no emergency treatment was given.

SAMIR AGARWAL

Jakarta