Involved In Extortion, Doctors In Klungkung Bali Sanctioned For Demotion Of Class

KLUNGKUNG - A surgeon at the Klungkung District Hospital, Bali, with the initials B was involved in a case of illegal levies (extortion). The doctor with the status of ASN (State civil Servant) is sanctioned by demotion in his class.

"The Regent has signed the regent's decree and imposed a sanction in the form of demotion from the previous IVA class to be reduced to one lower level to IIID", said the Director of the Klungkung Hospital, I Nyoman Kesuma, when contacted, Wednesday, September 8.

The case of extortion carried out by the doctor occurred in April 2021. At that time, a resident of Nusa Lembongan, Klungkung Regency, Bali, was about to undergo surgery.

In medical treatment, there is one tool that is not available at the Klungkung Hospital. The doctor then asked the patient for IDR 800 thousand to buy the device.

"Even though our rules at the hospital are clear. Even if you need tools that are not available, they must be communicated to the management and payment through the official cashier at the hospital", he added.

The doctor's behavior was revealed after the patient who was asked for money immediately reported it to the Klungkung Regent.

"Collecting from a patient who happens to be from Nusa Lembongan. So, he has access and reports directly to the Regent", said Kesuma.

From the complaint, the Regent of Klungkung forwarded the information received to the Director of the Klungkung Hospital for the investigation process. From the examination, it was found that the doctor with the initials B was the culprit.

"This is the second time. In 2015 it was also processed, at that time a sanction was given to postponement of promotion. The 2021 one turned out to be the same person, so he was given a heavier sanction", he said.

To anticipate similar incidents from happening again, the hospital will be more stringent in monitoring. In addition, Kesuma has warned doctors or employees at the Klungkung Hospital to comply with the applicable rules.

"We also make announcements in each unit or service room, so that people do not serve payment requests outside the official cashier", he said.

"So, if someone asks for payment outside the official cashier, they should report it to the number we have listed so that it doesn't happen like that. For, we have conveyed it to our employees, they must understand the rules and regulations that must be followed", continued Kesuma.