Children with Heart Disease in North Maluku Do Not Always Have to Be Referred Far

Tobelo - Children with heart disorders in North Maluku now have the opportunity to get closer services. Tobelo Regional Hospital has started to strengthen children's heart services after an echocardiography or ultrasound device for babies and children operated at the hospital.

The NHM Peduli program assistance tool from PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals (NHM) makes it possible to perform a more detailed examination of the child's heart. For the patient's family, this is not just about new tools. This is about cost, time, and anxiety that can be reduced because children do not always have to be referred far outside the area.

On June 23-24, 2026, the Tobelo Regional Hospital medical team treated six children through interventional catheterization. This procedure was previously more commonly performed at referral hospitals outside North Maluku.

The operator doctor, dr. Felix Gunarso, Sp.A Subsp. Kardio, said the device helps doctors see the heart structure more clearly during the procedure. The examination is carried out with a transesophageal approach, namely through the esophagus, so that the heart image can be seen in more detail down to very small sizes.

"After a long wait, finally the action of closing the heart hole can be done. The patient's condition during the action is safe and stable, the attached device is stable. This is a major advance for our Cathlab and Anesthesia teams," said dr. Felix in a written statement received Friday, July 3.

The presence of this service is an important news for residents of North Halmahera and the surrounding areas. Until now, referrals to other regions have often been a heavy burden on families. Not only travel costs, but also time, accompaniment, and the risk of delays in treatment.

One of the parents of the patient, Eson Ngolo, admitted that he was grateful that his child could be treated at the Tobelo Regional Hospital. He hopes that this service can reach more children in North Maluku.

"We are very grateful to the medical team and doctors at Tobelo Hospital who have treated our child well. We also express our gratitude to NHM for the assistance of medical equipment that can now be used at Tobelo Hospital. We hope that more children in North Maluku can get this kind of service without having to be referred far outside the area," said Eson.

Director of Tobelo Hospital, dr. Janta Bony, Sp.B, said this success was born from the cooperation of the local government, medical personnel, and the support of other parties, including NHM Peduli.

"This success is the fruit of a harmonious collaboration between the North Halmahera Regency Government, Tobelo Hospital medical staff, and the support of various parties, including the support of the NHM Peduli Program," said dr. Janta.

He assessed that quality health services should not only belong to big cities. With the support of tools, medical personnel, and good governance, specialized services can be closer to the community.

The strengthening of children's cardiac services at the Tobelo Regional Hospital is expected to reduce patient referrals outside North Maluku for certain actions. For regional hospitals, this is also an important step to upgrade in specialized services. For residents, it means something simpler. Sick children can be treated faster, closer, and still be close to their families. (ADV)