Tarakan Hospital Apologizes And Suspensions Dr. Diah In The Case Of Death Of Johanes Patient

JAKARTA The management of the Tarakan Hospital in Central Jakarta admitted that he was negligent in the case of the death of patient Johanes Patria Sitanggang on May 4, 2025. The apology and apology were conveyed directly by the Director of the Tarakan Hospital, dr. Weningtyas Purnomini, MARS when receiving the family of the late. Johanes represented by three older siblings, Anna Tuning Sitanggang, Budiman Martono Sitanggang, and Meilani Nurkalam Sitanggang in the meeting room on the 13th floor of the Tarakan Sky RUSD Building, Thursday, June 5.

In his statement, dr. Weningtyas said that the Tarakan Hospital had imposed sanctions on dr. Diah Asih Lestari, Sp.B who had surgery on the deceased. Johanes who was diagnosed with comorbidities (phlegmon appendix).

"Against dr. Diah, we have carried out a series of processes, medical audits and ethics by involving the Digestive Surgery Association. dr. We have suspended him for six months during the investigation process," said dr. Weningtyas who was accompanied by other officials in the Tarakan Hospital. During the meeting, dr. Weningtyas also presented dr. Diah who is bowing with a sluggish face.

He added that the Tarakan Hospital had given the third Warning Letter (SP) to dr. Diah.

"In terms of staffing, dr. This diah really tarnishes the face of the hospital and there is no coordination at all," he continued.

On the same occasion, dr. Weningtyas also admitted that communication from the Tarakan Hospital to the family in this case was not good and did not provide an explanation.

"We are very angry, we are all angry, at dr. Diah this. We are also thinking about getting out dr. He is inspired by stories like this, "while saying that all this time dr. Diah handles almost 100 operations in one month.

But, he continued, however, it was not a defense, because the visit to the postoperative patient care room was an obligation.

Main Family Demands

The family strongly suspects that there was a serious negligence (gross negligency) by the doctor in charge and systemic omission by the management of the Tarakan Hospital which resulted in Johanes' death.

In fact, before the summons and mediation meeting, all clarification initiatives came from the family. The Tarakan Hospital and doctors did not show initiative, empathy, or responsibility for more than a month after death.

During the meeting, the family demanded Dr. Diah gave a written official explanation. The family demanded that the Tarakan Hospital seriously conduct an internal examination and take this case to the Honorary Council for Indonesian Medical Discipline (MKDKI).

The family also demanded the revocation of STR (Registration Certificate) and SIP (Practical Permit Letter) dr. Diah permanently and dismissal from the entire hospital network. In addition, the family will also file criminal charges based on articles 359 and 361 of the Old Criminal Code and Article 190 of the New Criminal Code, as well as a maximum civil compensation lawsuit, including emotional impacts.

Meanwhile, RUSD Tarakan was asked to see official and open apologies, provide real and proportional compensation, conduct independent medical audits and involve the public, disable dr. Diah during the process, carry out evaluations and structural replacements of negligent supervisors, and audit the quality system and emergency SOPs. Also responsible as regulated in Article 45 of the New Criminal Code.

If all of this is ignored, the family will apply for a suspension of the operational permit for the surgical service unit by the DKI Health Office and the Indonesian Ministry of Health.

We are not asking for mercy. We demand full accountability because what is ignored is the right to life, which is protected by the constitution and medical ethics. This is not a small negligence. This is a form of humility towards the value of human life. When a patient comes to the hospital, he gives his life in the hope of being guarded, not ignored," said the family representative.

This is not just the fault of one doctor. It is a dilapidated system, which allows doctors to act arbitrarily without supervision, without evaluation, without empathy. This is a violation of the most basic principle of the medical profession, namely respect for human life," the family continued.

The family gave a time limit of 14 days to dr. Diah and Tarakan Hospital to meet the demands.

The family also considered that Johanes' death at the Tarakan Hospital was not just a failure of individual medical personnel, but a systemic failure involving all levels of government, including the DKI Jakarta Regional Government and the Indonesian Ministry of Health.

"This death is the result of a tiered failure starting from the negligence of doctors, neglect by hospital management, lack of control by the DKI Jakarta Health Office, to the weakness of the national supervision system from the Indonesian Ministry of Health. This is not just a matter of Tarakan Hospital. This is a reflection of the poor governance of public health in the nation's capital," wrote another family in their demands.

What happened at the Tarakan Hospital reflects the face of Indonesian public services in the nation's capital. If in Jakarta alone life can be lost without accountability, what about other regions? " continued the demand.

The state, through the DKI Provincial Government and the Ministry of Health, has a legal obligation to protect the right to life of each citizen, as guaranteed by Article 28 paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution and Article 9 of Law 39/1999 concerning Human Rights. Deaths due to negligence are left without audit, without sanctions, and without explanation are a form of systemic omission by the state, "said the family.