UGM Specialist Trainee Under Fire for Viral Post Mocking BPJS Patient's 8-Hour Wait
A medical specialist trainee (PPDS) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Elda Putri Rahardini, has drawn sharp criticism over her comment on a thread by a BPJS patient who complained about waiting eight hours for an inpatient room. UGM and Dr Sardjito General Hospital (RSUP), where she is undergoing training, have stepped in to investigate the matter.
The case began when a patient named Yurizal Tri Chaerawan wrote a thread about his difficulty in obtaining an inpatient room, resulting in an eight-hour wait. However, Yurizal’s thread instead attracted many comments from netizens perceived as lacking empathy.
“8 hours and still haven’t got a room. Don’t want to name the hospital, because I use BPJS,” wrote @yurizaltrich on his Threads account, as quoted by detikJogja on Wednesday (5/8).
One of the netizens considered snide was the account @erudarahaadini. This account was identified by the account @sunyidibaliksenyum as an alumna of UGM and a recipient of an LPDP scholarship.
“PP looks like a ‘Have’ but is actually a ‘Haven’t’? Haven’t some brain cells,” wrote @erudarahaadini, commenting on @yurizaltrich’s thread.
The post by @erudarahaadini and several other unsympathetic comments, allegedly from healthcare workers, were widely highlighted by netizens. The identities of the owners of these insensitive accounts became the target of netizens who deplored the remarks made by the healthcare workers.
Dr Sardjito Hospital Stresses She Is Not an Employee
Manager of Legal and Public Relations at RSUP Dr Sardjito, Banu Hermawan, denied that Elda Putri Rahardini is a healthcare worker at the hospital. He stated that Elda is a PPDS trainee at Dr Sardjito Hospital.
“After we conducted an investigation regarding the social media account, because we became aware of the post, it was indeed made by one of our trainees. So, she is not an employee of RSUP Dr Sardjito. She is purely a trainee,” Banu stressed when contacted on Wednesday (5/8).
Banu said that follow-up action regarding the individual would be coordinated with UGM, given her status as a student.
“We have a Dignified Education Team. This team consists of members from Sardjito and the Faculty of Medicine; this team will work together. It is not a case of Sardjito acting alone or UGM acting alone. This Dignified Education Team will summon and seek clarification from the individual concerned,” he explained.
FK UGM Issues Clarification
Regarding the post by its student, the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM) also conveyed an apology and deep condolences for the death of the patient. FK-KMK UGM has given its attention to the viral post involving its student.
“The Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM) is observing the public attention regarding a social media post involving one of the students of the Specialist Doctor Education Programme (PPDS) at FK-KMK UGM, Dr. Elda Putri Rahardini, Ph.D., as well as the various discussions that have developed concerning statements perceived by some parties as not reflecting empathy towards the patient,” Yodi said in a written statement received by detikJogja on Wednesday (5/8).
“FK-KMK UGM expresses its deep concern to the family of the deceased and apologises for the unrest, discomfort, and diminished public trust caused by the circulation of this information,” he continued.
Yodi confirmed that the FK-KMK UGM team has conducted a thorough investigation. They have gathered facts, requested statements from relevant parties, and carried out an examination in accordance with applicable operational mechanisms and procedures.
“Coordinating with various related parties to ensure that the examination process is conducted objectively, transparently, and prioritises the principle of justice for all parties,” he explained.
Furthermore, the faculty is coordinating with various parties to ensure the examination process is objective, transparent, and upholds the principle of justice. FK-KMK UGM is also providing assistance to the family of the deceased and has opened a communication channel to receive input, clarification, and to resolve the issue.
Faces Ethical Sanctions
Yodi stressed that the faculty will impose sanctions if the results of the examination prove a violation of the code of ethics, professional discipline, or academic regulations.
“Imposing sanctions in accordance with applicable regulations if the results of the examination prove a violation of the code of ethics, professional discipline, or academic regulations,” he stated.