Medicine Redemption Hampered by SOP, Baby in Bima Dies
A married couple, Arif Rahman (28) and Fitriani (20), have lost their two-day-old baby boy. The infant died at the Bima Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
Family representative Ahyar revealed that the baby was born at Monta Community Health Centre, Bima Regency, on Friday afternoon (19/6). Because his condition was poor shortly after birth, the baby from Tolo Uwi Village, Monta District, Bima Regency, was referred to RSUD Bima.
“He was born at Monta Community Health Centre but his condition was critical, so he was referred to RSUD Bima,” Ahyar said on Saturday (20/6/2026).
Upon arrival at RSUD Bima via the Monta Community Health Centre ambulance, the baby initially received treatment from the medical team. However, according to Ahyar, the subsequent treatment process was hampered because the patient had not yet been registered as a BPJS Health participant.
According to Ahyar, the family had requested that the medicine for the unfortunate baby be redeemed independently without using BPJS. The family even offered their ID cards as collateral while waiting for money to be sent from their village.
However, Ahyar continued, the hospital staff made the redemption of the medicine difficult. “Because he was not yet registered with BPJS, the redemption of the medicine was made difficult by the staff at the RSUD Bima Pharmacy. In fact, the baby’s condition at that time was very urgent and required the medicine,” Ahyar said.
Ahyar stated that the family was asked to transfer the BPJS membership of the baby’s mother to the patient in order to redeem the medicine. Shortly thereafter, the baby, who was in critical condition, was pronounced dead.
The baby’s body was then taken to Tolouwi by ambulance for burial. “We deeply regret this incident. We strongly condemn the actions of the RSUD Bima,” Ahyar said.
RSUD Bima Director Ihsan spoke out regarding the death of the baby boy belonging to Arif Rahman and Fitriani. Ihsan claimed that the patient’s treatment was in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOP).
“The deceased patient received continuous medical services from the time he underwent treatment in the ICU of RSUD Bima,” Ihsan said on Saturday.
Based on the examination results and assessment of the medical team, Ihsan stated that the baby was brought to RSUD Bima in a very critical condition. In addition, the unfortunate baby also had complex health disorders requiring intensive treatment and strict medical monitoring.
Ihsan explained that patients with critical conditions and various complications have a very high level of risk. Therefore, he continued, the final outcome of the service is greatly influenced by the underlying disease condition. Ihsan emphasised that the necessary medical efforts had been carried out optimally.
“RSUD Bima always upholds patient safety, professionalism, and humanitarian values in every service provided,” Ihsan said.
Ihsan also expressed his deepest condolences for the death of the baby. He hopes the public can respond to the information wisely and maintain a conducive atmosphere by respecting the grief being experienced by the patient’s family.
“We also respect the attention, input, and concern of the community as part of a joint effort to continuously improve the quality of health services,” Ihsan concluded.