Mayor Bobby Nasution Threatens To Close Extortion Hospital In Medan

Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution (Source: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Medan City Government, North Sumatra, threatened to close the operation of a hospital that was proven to be carrying out illegal levies (extortion) for COVID-19 patients.

"If there is a hospital that asks for money, we will give a warning. If that happens again, we will close it because it makes it difficult for the community," said Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution in Medan, Friday, August 13.

He said this warning was given to all hospitals so as not to take advantage of people undergoing COVID-19 treatment.

Especially for COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms, he continued, all costs have been borne by the government through the Ministry of Health.

The mayor also said, even for patients who are not covered such as people without symptoms (OTG), the Medan City Government provides free isolation places.

The Medan City COVID-19 Handling Task Force noted that today 35,560 people were confirmed or an increase of 473 people from yesterday consisting of 24,493 recovered, 10,339 were treated and 728 died.

"The government has fully borne the treatment costs. If there are hospitals that ask for costs for handling COVID-19, I ask them not to pay them," said Bobby.