Be Careful! Donation Of Children With Cancer From Halmahera Turns Out To Be Hoaxes

The Flyer on social media reads "Open Donation of Arkana Wafi's Sister" which includes the identity of a resident of Tepeleo Village, Central Halmahera, Thursday (30/10/2025). BETWEEN/Abdul Fatah.

MALUT - The Provincial Government (Pemprov) of North Maluku appealed to the public not to be easily provoked and not to donate to parties whose legality is not clear, especially on behalf of medical assistance for underprivileged residents.

Head of the North Maluku Social Service (Dinsos) Zen Kasim said the local government already has an official mechanism to distribute social assistance to welfare residents who need medical treatment or referral fees.

"Residents who need assistance can contact the North Maluku Social Service Rapid Response Team via the Instagram account @dinsos.malut or our official WhatsApp at 081269647994," said Zen in Ternate, Antara, Thursday, October 30.

The appeal was conveyed following the circulation of information about a child patient with cancer named Arkana Wafi, who is said to have come from Tepeleo Village, North Patani District, Central Halmahera.

In the last few days, a flyer has circulated on social media reading the Open Donation of Arkana Wafi's Sister with the identities of parents named Suryanto and Fitria. However, the results of our search show that the claim is not in accordance with the facts," said Zen.

Tepeleo Village Head Ridwan Soleman also confirmed that the names were not registered in the population data or village health service data.

"We have checked population data and records at the Puskesmas. There is no name Arkana Wafi in our area," said Ridwan.

Tepeleo Health Center medical personnel, dr. Emi, also conveyed the results of similar checks.

"I've been looking for it in RME (electronic medical record). If you've ever been treated, the data will definitely appear. But that name doesn't exist," he said.

Similarly, dr. Yudistira Putri, medical staff of the Tepeleo Health Center, confirmed that patients with this name were never referred to from their health facilities.

"We have never handled a patient named Arkana, let alone with tumour suspicion. The information is clearly not true," wrote dr. Yudistira via WhatsApp message.

Zen added that underprivileged residents who need medical assistance already have official handling channels. Residents with the decile category 5 and below will be handled through the Happy Wasana Center of the Ministry of Social Affairs, while residents above decile 5 will be facilitated by the North Maluku Provincial Government through the Health Office and the Social Service.

"The government is present and has a clear assistance mechanism. Do not let the intention of helping be used by irresponsible parties," said Zen.