Piprim Dismissed: Health Ministry Insists Paediatric Cardiac Services Remain Safe
Head of the Communications and Public Services Bureau at the Ministry of Health, Aji Muhawarman, stated that paediatric cardiac intervention and surgery services at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) and Fatmawati Hospital continue to operate following the transfer and dismissal of Dr Piprim Basarah Yanuarso.
The Health Ministry dismissed Piprim for never reporting to duty after being transferred to Fatmawati Hospital. He was found to have violated Government Regulation No. 94 of 2021 on Civil Service Discipline.
"Services remain optimal because the transfer was intended to add to and develop services at Fatmawati Hospital," Aji told Tempo via WhatsApp message on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Fatmawati Hospital Director Wahyu Widodo said the hospital had previously written to the Health Ministry requesting additional human resources. The Ministry, he said, responded by issuing a transfer decree moving Piprim from RSCM to Fatmawati Hospital. Following the transfer order, Piprim never reported to Fatmawati Hospital.
"The individual refused to attend because he considered the contents of the decree to be inappropriate," Wahyu said in a video statement received by Tempo from the Health Ministry.
He said Fatmawati Hospital then attempted to engage Piprim directly by inviting him to report in person. However, Piprim continued to be absent.
Fatmawati Hospital, Wahyu added, also attempted to meet Piprim in person at RSCM. At that time, Wahyu said Piprim was informed of the consequences of his consecutive absences.
"We issued a written warning, but the individual maintained his position of not reporting," Wahyu said.
Piprim stated that his dismissal by the Health Ministry was the result of his refusal to accept a transfer he deemed inconsistent with the meritocracy principles of the civil service.
Piprim also linked his transfer to his advocacy for the independence of the paediatric physicians' collegium at the Indonesian Paediatricians Association (IDAI).
On 26 August 2025, Head of the Paediatric Cardiology Division at RSCM, Mulyadi, said that paediatric cardiac intervention services had been affected by Piprim's transfer to Fatmawati Hospital.
He explained that following the transfer, only four paediatric cardiologists remained on duty to handle patients — a number insufficient for the patient volume. "Patient queues are growing longer, particularly for BPJS patients," Mulyadi said in a video statement.
Piprim's departure from RSCM, Mulyadi added, also affected specialist medical training at the hospital, as Piprim served as a mentor for both paediatric specialist trainees and paediatric cardiology sub-specialist candidates.
"Losing a mentor will have a knock-on effect on the direction of specialist trainees," he said.
Tempo contacted RSCM Director Supriyanto Dharmoredjo regarding developments in cardiac services at RSCM following Piprim's dismissal. However, Supriyanto did not provide a direct response. "Where did the information come from that RSCM is struggling after Piprim's transfer?" he said.
The Health Ministry dismissed Piprim for never reporting to duty after being transferred to Fatmawati Hospital. He was found to have violated Government Regulation No. 94 of 2021 on Civil Service Discipline.
"Services remain optimal because the transfer was intended to add to and develop services at Fatmawati Hospital," Aji told Tempo via WhatsApp message on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Fatmawati Hospital Director Wahyu Widodo said the hospital had previously written to the Health Ministry requesting additional human resources. The Ministry, he said, responded by issuing a transfer decree moving Piprim from RSCM to Fatmawati Hospital. Following the transfer order, Piprim never reported to Fatmawati Hospital.
"The individual refused to attend because he considered the contents of the decree to be inappropriate," Wahyu said in a video statement received by Tempo from the Health Ministry.
He said Fatmawati Hospital then attempted to engage Piprim directly by inviting him to report in person. However, Piprim continued to be absent.
Fatmawati Hospital, Wahyu added, also attempted to meet Piprim in person at RSCM. At that time, Wahyu said Piprim was informed of the consequences of his consecutive absences.
"We issued a written warning, but the individual maintained his position of not reporting," Wahyu said.
Piprim stated that his dismissal by the Health Ministry was the result of his refusal to accept a transfer he deemed inconsistent with the meritocracy principles of the civil service.
Piprim also linked his transfer to his advocacy for the independence of the paediatric physicians' collegium at the Indonesian Paediatricians Association (IDAI).
On 26 August 2025, Head of the Paediatric Cardiology Division at RSCM, Mulyadi, said that paediatric cardiac intervention services had been affected by Piprim's transfer to Fatmawati Hospital.
He explained that following the transfer, only four paediatric cardiologists remained on duty to handle patients — a number insufficient for the patient volume. "Patient queues are growing longer, particularly for BPJS patients," Mulyadi said in a video statement.
Piprim's departure from RSCM, Mulyadi added, also affected specialist medical training at the hospital, as Piprim served as a mentor for both paediatric specialist trainees and paediatric cardiology sub-specialist candidates.
"Losing a mentor will have a knock-on effect on the direction of specialist trainees," he said.
Tempo contacted RSCM Director Supriyanto Dharmoredjo regarding developments in cardiac services at RSCM following Piprim's dismissal. However, Supriyanto did not provide a direct response. "Where did the information come from that RSCM is struggling after Piprim's transfer?" he said.