Child Dies After Alleged BPJS Hospitalization Denial in Batam

Batam, Indonesia – A 12-year-old boy, Muhammad Alif Okto Karyanto, a resident of Kavling Sei Lekop, Sagulung, tragically passed away in the early hours of Sunday, June 15, 2025, just two hours after being discharged from RSUD Embung Fatimah in Batam. His death has sparked concerns regarding healthcare access and BPJS services. According to family members, Alif was brought to the Emergency Unit (UGD) of RSUD Embung Fatimah on Saturday night, June 14, 2025, at approximately 10:30 PM WIB, in a critical condition. However, after nearly three hours of waiting, doctors on duty reportedly determined that Alif’s condition did not qualify as an emergency, thus preventing his hospitalization using BPJS Kesehatan. The family was allegedly asked to pay for his treatment independently. “We truly do not understand. Our child was brought to the UGD in the middle of the night; how could it not be an emergency?” stated Suprapto, a humanitarian volunteer assisting Alif’s family. “Instead, we were asked to pay for his hospitalization ourselves.” Due to economic limitations, Alif’s parents made the difficult decision to take their son home around 2:30 AM WIB after purchasing medication at their own expense. Tragically, Alif passed away at home at 4:30 AM WIB. Suprapto expressed profound disappointment with the hospital’s decision and noted perceived irregularities in the service provided to BPJS participants. He also questioned the commitment of the Batam City Government regarding its free healthcare program for Batam KTP holders, which has been socialized to the public. “The Mayor of Batam once stated that all Batam residents are entitled to free healthcare services… Why is the reality so different? Is the fate of the poor not considered important?” he added. Suprapto and other volunteer networks are calling for an audit of the BPJS service system at RSUD Embung Fatimah and an evaluation of the UGD’s operational standards in determining patient emergency status. As of the time of this report, the management of RSUD Embung Fatimah has not issued an official statement regarding Alif’s death.