The Death Of Pregnant Woman Irene Sokoy In Papua Opens The 'Borok' Of JKN Implementation, 4 Hospitals Must Be Investigated

Illustrations of pregnant women being rejected by the hospital during childbirth for reasons of cost (DOK VOI)

JAKARTA Member of Commission IX DPR Edy Wuryanto highlighted sharply the case of the death of a pregnant woman from Papua, Irene Sokoy, who died with her baby after being rejected by four hospitals when she was about to give birth.

Edy assessed that the case opened serious problems in the implementation of the National Health Insurance (JKN) and emergency installation management (IGD), especially in the outermost, underdeveloped, and leading (3T) areas.

"When a pregnant woman, in an emergency condition, is refused by the hospital only because the classroom 3 is full or because she is unable to pay a down payment, then there the state has failed to carry out the constitutional mandate," Edy told reporters, Wednesday, November 26.

He explained that the rules had actually provided a way out for a long time. Permenkes Number 28 of 2014 stipulates that if the classroom 3 is full, patients must be treated in grade 1 or 2 without additional fees.

The patient was entrusted first until the 3rd classroom was re-available. With such a clear regulation, the request for a down payment of IDR 4 million for the VIP room is a form of rule neglect," he said.

Edy assessed that hospitals should not use tariffs as barriers that actually seize the patient's chances of life. He also reminded that BPJS Kesehatan and the government should not just attend administratively.

According to him, BPJS ONE officers who are placed in the hospital must work more proactively to monitor the ER, ensure that no JKN participants are rejected, and immediately intervene in the event of service barriers.

He also emphasized the importance of the presence of an active Complaint Desk in every hospital to help patients access quick referrals and provide safe and feasible ambulances.

There is no more reason for the government to postpone improvements. People's lives are not statistical figures. A mother and her baby have fallen victim to a system failure that should protect them," he said.

Edy urged the investigation of four hospitals to be carried out in a transparent, comprehensive manner, and published to the public.

"Tragey in Papua must be a turning point. The state must not remain silent when the law is violated and the people become victims. Law enforcement must be firm, supervision must be strengthened, and partiality to the people must be the breath of all of our health institutions," he concluded.