Jakarta – Parents of Tiara Deborah Simanjorang, an infant who died after reportedly being turned away by a West Jakarta hospital because of financial constraints, have demanded an apology from the hospital.

Rudianto Simanjorang and Henny Silalahi visited the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) on Monday to seek help in voicing their concerns over their daughter's death.

"I am speaking out to prevent other children from having to experience the same as my child experienced, and the KPAI is the right place for it. I hope children will not be discriminated against," Henny told journalists at the KPAI office.

The parents, who have Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) cards, claim that Deborah died on Sept. 3 after Mitra Keluarga Hospital refused further treatment because they could not afford the Rp 11 million (US$835.60) initial payment.

The family's lawyer, Birgaldo Sinaga, said he expected the KPAI to collaborate with other state institutions to test the effectiveness of the healthcare system. "We don't ask for [financial] compensation. What we really want is that the hospital admit its mistake and apologize," he said.

Birgaldo said the family hoped no other hospitals would make the same mistake. "We don't intend to sue the hospital, but if it doesn't listen to our aspirations, we could opt for legal action," he added. (yon)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/09/11/dead-babys-parents-demand-apology-from-hospital.html