RSUD Tabanan Runs Out of Medicines, Leaving Regent Furious
A shortage of medicines at Tabanan General Hospital (RSUD Tabanan) sparked significant controversy after a voice note from a senior doctor complaining about depleted medicine stocks circulated widely on social media, triggering public anxiety.
The hospital’s management subsequently issued a statement assuring that medicine stocks remained available. “To prevent misinformation spreading in the community, we clarify that the medicines mentioned as out of stock in the voice note are supplement-type medicines, not emergency medications. Other medicines, particularly emergency and patient health support medicines, remain available,” said RSUD Tabanan Director I Gede Sudiarta when interviewed on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
BPJS Claims Processing Delayed
Sudiarta explained that the limited medicine supply resulted from incomplete BPJS claims processing at the administrative level. BPJS claim funds typically finance hospital operations, including medicine purchases and service payments.
“BPJS claims cannot be processed because of the system transition from manual to digital, which requires considerable time. Meanwhile, RSUD Tabanan covers 95 per cent of BPJS member patients,” Sudiarta said.
Management disclosed that accumulated medicine debts as of 31 December 2025 exceeded Rp 36 billion since BPJS implementation. This comprised medicine debts of more than Rp 19 billion and consumable medical supplies (BMHP) totalling more than Rp 16 billion. Meanwhile, medicine inventory as of December 2025 was valued at more than Rp 8 billion, whilst BMHP stock stood at Rp 895 million.
Deputy Operational Director of RSUD Tabanan, Ni Wayan Primayani, added that the system transition from manual to digital claims required numerous claim files to be re-completed.
“Currently, there are approximately 8,000 to 9,000 claim files requiring data completion during the transition from manual to digital systems, causing delays in completing many claim files. Average monthly claims amount to Rp 7 billion,” Primayani said.
She likened the situation to when claims do not clear, causing expenditure funds to become unavailable, making budgets for medicine purchases and service payment arrangements empty.
“We are attempting to manage by purchasing medicines of slightly lower quality than we normally provide. What matters most is delivering the essential service to the public,” she concluded.
Regent Rebukes Hospital Management
Tabanan Regent I Komang Gede Sanjaya was furious and rebuked RSUD Tabanan management after the medicine shortage issue emerged at the type B hospital. He stressed that technology cannot be used as an excuse when it impacts public health services.
The sharp warning was delivered by Sanjaya following a meeting at Tabanan Regional Parliament (DPRD) building on Wednesday, 11 March 2026. He confirmed that he had summoned RSUD Tabanan management to demand explanations regarding the issue.
According to him, public service delivery must remain the top priority and administrative issues must not disrupt healthcare services.
“I already know what the problem is. But technology cannot be an excuse. Surely we can assign competent individuals to handle this matter. That is why I have issued a strong warning to prevent similar incidents,” Sanjaya stated firmly.
Sanjaya also affirmed that the medicine shortage at RSUD Tabanan has now been resolved following coordination with the hospital and BPJS.
“This serves as a lesson for us all that everything is now technology-based to ensure accuracy and transparency. Hopefully this will proceed smoothly,” he said.
Regional Parliament Demands Management Evaluation
The medicine shortage at RSUD Tabanan triggered concern among various parties, including members of the Tabanan Regional Parliament.
Tabanan Regional Parliament Chairman I Nyoman Arnawa, following a meeting with executive representatives at the DPRD building on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, emphasised that the performance and management of RSUD Tabanan management must undergo comprehensive evaluation.
According to Arnawa, any problems should be anticipated to prevent healthcare services from being disrupted as currently occurred.
“Whatever system exists must be implemented properly. Don’t just follow along here and there, show respect here and there, but let work remain unfinished,” he said.
Arnawa also instructed Commission IV of the Tabanan Regional Parliament to meet with RSUD Tabanan representatives to discuss the issue. The meeting is expected to identify solutions to prevent medicine shortages from recurring, including conducting evaluations of both management and hospital performance to date.