Simple Request from Hydrocephalus Sufferer to Governor Iqbal Touches Hearts

Dust swirled in the wind at the side of Ahmad Yani’s house (40). The simply fenced home he shares with his mother has been a silent witness to his decades-long battle against hydrocephalus.

The resident of Kereak Hamlet, Pandan Indah Village, Praya Barat Daya District, has been bedridden since the age of about 10 due to his illness. According to his mother, Ahmad Yani was still able to play with his friends when he was a child.

“He has suffered from it since birth. When he was still 8, Yani could still play with his friends,” recalled Sriyani, Ahmad Yani’s mother, when NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal visited their home on Monday (27/7/2026).

Amid economic hardship, Sriyani, who works odd jobs, has never complained about caring for her son. They live in a dilapidated house where Ahmad Yani spends his days.

Ahmad Yani hopes his house can be repaired so it is more fit to live in whilst he undergoes treatment.

“Besides having our house repaired, I’d like to ask the Governor for a loudspeaker so I can listen to the radio or music,” said Ahmad Yani with a smile.

The request was not without reason. Ahmad Yani, who lives alone with his mother, spends his days accompanied by music from his mobile phone. Music is a simple pleasure that keeps the 40-year-old in good spirits despite his battle with illness.

Not far from Ahmad Yani’s home, hydrocephalus also afflicts Nadira Octavany Putri. The eight-month-old baby is currently being cared for by her parents.

In her mother’s lap, Nadira’s little laughter could be heard. The baby is a picture of her parents’ steadfastness in accompanying their child through treatment.

“My daughter Nadira has been ill since birth. At just 3 months old she was already operated on at NTB Regional Hospital,” said Sri Rahni (35), Nadira’s mother.

After the operation, Sri Rahni and her husband regularly take Nadira for check-ups at NTB Provincial Hospital every three months. Most recently, Nadira was examined on 16 July 2026.

“Now she is an outpatient. So there has been progress — her head circumference has gone from 53 cm to 49 cm. It has started to shrink a bit,” she said.

Director of NTB Provincial Hospital Asrul Sani confirmed that Nadira’s condition continues to show improvement after her operation. When she met NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, Nadira appeared to be becoming more active.

“After the operation, her condition has improved and she has started to be active like any other baby. But her head is still heavy,” he said.

Asrul said the medical team remains on standby to monitor Nadira’s condition. Her parents have also been given an emergency contact should it ever be needed. All of Nadira’s medical costs are covered through the BPJS programme.

Unlike Nadira, Ahmad Yani has never received treatment from a neurosurgeon. When he was a child, neurosurgery services were still very limited in NTB.

“For Ahmad Yani, treatment is carried out conservatively, focusing on medication and routine monitoring to maintain his health,” said Asrul.

According to Asrul, time cannot be turned back to change Ahmad Yani’s past condition. However, the NTB Provincial Government has assured that medical care and support will continue to be provided to both Ahmad Yani and Nadira.

Iqbal Highlights the High Number of Hydrocephalus Cases

Seeing the conditions of Ahmad Yani and Nadira, NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal stressed that hydrocephalus treatment must be tailored to the patient’s age.

“One of them is over 40 years old, so now we just need to think about how to ensure his health is properly monitored. But the other is only 8 months old, so there is still much we can do to improve her condition,” said Iqbal.

Iqbal revealed that the number of hydrocephalus sufferers in Praya Barat Daya District is quite high. Over the past year, he said he has met almost 15 sufferers in closely neighbouring areas.

“It seems there really are many hydrocephalus cases in this southern area. In the past year I have probably met almost 15 hydrocephalus sufferers, all in the southern region, from Praya Barat Daya to Praya Barat,” said Iqbal.

For the former diplomat, the high number of hydrocephalus cases in southern Lombok is a phenomenon that warrants scientific study. He said the situation reminded him of the high number of kidney disorders in Bima Regency.

“This is a phenomenon similar to the kidney cases in Bima. Why are there so many? This seems to need a special study. I think I need to discuss this with colleagues in the health sector — what phenomenon is at play? Why are there so many hydrocephalus cases in this southern area? I don’t know, my knowledge doesn’t extend that far, and frankly I’ve never discussed hydrocephalus before. But it has my attention,” he asserted.

According to him, his visit to Ahmad Yani and Nadira was not only to ensure medical treatment for both, but also a first step towards encouraging prevention efforts in the future.

He hopes there will be a special study involving experts and medical personnel to uncover the cause of the high number of hydrocephalus cases in southern Lombok.

“Why are there so many? This phenomenon needs a special study. Whether it is due to high poverty levels or not, my knowledge doesn’t reach that far,” Iqbal concluded.