Youths protest leader's death

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Dozens of youths held a protest Monday at Kalabahi Hospital in Alor regency, accusing doctors of negligence that led to the death of a community leader, Antara reported yesterday.

The youths from Kolana village charged that Samson Karipui died on Aug. 30 because doctors refused to operate on him. The agency said the refusal was based on the recommendation of the hospital's director, Titi Wijanari, who was away in the provincial capital of Kupang at the time.

Head of the Ministry of Health provincial office, Dr. Bambang Poernomo, said he would send a team from the Indonesian Doctors Association to investigate the cause of Samson's death.

Kalabahi Hospital is located in the capital of Alor regency, and it usually takes an overnight ferry from Kupang or a 45- minute flight to reach the area. (swe)