The Ministry Of Health Suggests That The Case Of Exchanged Babies Be Resolved Through Mediation

Head of the Communication and Public Service Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) suggested the implementation of mediation in handling allegations of negligence by hospital officials which caused the patient's baby to be swapped at a hospital in Bogor Regency, West Java Province.

Head of the Communication and Public Service Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, when questioned in Jakarta, Sunday, stated the possibility of negligence by officers at the hospital in carrying out the delivery service protocol in the case.

"Actually, there is a permanent protocol. For example, if a baby is born, the bracelet must be the same as the mother," he said, quoted by Antara, Sunday.

Health workers at the hospital, according to him, should make sure the patient's baby is not swapped by matching the medical record number listed on the baby and mother's bracelets.

"Sebagai standar sudah ada, sekarang tinggal bagaimana kepatuhan petugas terhadap standar yang sudah dibuat. Kalau orang teledor ya bagaimana gila, seharusnya profesional dalam menjalankan tugas," katanya.

Regarding the negligence of hospital officials in the case of infants being swapped in Bogor, Nadia stated that the verification process to prove the negligence of officers and the mediation mechanism can first be carried out in solving problems.

"This is a legal process and the legal process has stages. It does not necessarily become criminalized," said Nadia.

"It doesn't always have to end in demand. Mediation can still be done outside of the forum," he said.

Siti Mauliah (37) and Muhamad Tabrani (52) on August 10, 2023 reported to the Bogor Police Women and Children Service Unit that the baby was swapped with another patient's baby at the hospital where their child was born.

Siti gave birth to a boy with a fault operation at Sentosa Hospital, Kemang District, Bogor Regency, on July 18, 2022.

Suspicion arose in Siti because she felt something was different when breastfeeding her baby on the second day after giving birth and then there was an exchange of bracelets on the baby.

Siti's family then conducted a DNA examination and found out that the child they were treating was not Siti's biological child.

Furthermore, Siti's family tried to meet the family of a baby who was allegedly swapped with Siti's biological child and asked them to do a DNA check. However, the request was rejected.

The hospital manager after conducting administrative examinations and DNA examinations on Siti's family contacted the parents of the baby who were suspected of being swapped with Siti's baby so that they would do a DNA examination. However, they stated that they were not willing.

Therefore, Siti's family on August 10, 2023 reported to the Bogor Police Women and Children Service Unit to obtain certainty about their biological children.

The police followed up on the report by conducting an investigation, including asking for information from the manager and hospital employee where Siti gave birth.

DNA examinations were also carried out on children suspected of being swapped and their parents. The results of the cross-examination showed that Siti's child was confused with the child of another patient at Sentosa Hospital.

Bogor Police on Friday (25/8) night announced the results of a DNA test showing that Siti's baby was swapped with another patient who gave birth at Sentosa Hospital.

The police have facilitated mediation for the parents of the two interchanged babies.

With facilitation from the police, the two families have agreed on a plan for care during the transition period so that parents can build ties with their respective biological children.

A joint house is prepared for two families whose babies are swapped so that they can jointly raise their children for about a month before returning the child to their respective biological parents.

In addition, the police are investigating allegations of negligence from the manager and hospital officials in the case of the accused baby in Bogor.