Indonesian doctor dies by suicide after alleging intimidation by local lawmakers over patient treatment

A 28-year-old general practitioner in Indonesia's eastern province of East Nusa Tenggara has died by suicide after allegedly experiencing intimidation, threats and verbal abuse while carrying out her duties at a hospital, according to a letter she wrote before her death and statements from local officials.

The doctor, who worked at Leona Hospital in Kefamenanu, the capital of North Central Timor Regency, died at her family home in Taebenu District, Kupang Regency, on 26 June.

Her funeral was held on 29 June.

The case has drawn public attention in East Nusa Tenggara after allegations emerged that several members of the North Central Timor Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) subjected the doctor to verbal pressure and intimidation during a dispute over the treatment of a patient.

Dispute over snakebite treatment

According to a letter written by the doctor and addressed to the Honour Council of the North Central Timor DPRD, the incident occurred on 13 June at approximately 5 pm local time.

She stated that a 20-year-old male patient with a history of snakebite arrived at the emergency department of Leona Hospital carrying a referral letter from Kefamenanu Regional Hospital. The patient was reportedly a relative of DPRD member Therensius Lazakar.

The doctor wrote that, after conducting a medical examination and consulting specialist and attending physicians, the patient was diagnosed as a local-phase snakebite case.

Based on the medical assessment, she said the patient was advised to undergo observation and supportive treatment without the administration of anti-venom because there was no medical indication requiring it.

She stated that the examination results, consultation findings, the patient's condition and the medical basis for the treatment decision were explained openly to the patient and family members.

According to the letter, objections were then raised by several people present.

The doctor alleged that DPRD member Veronika Lake insisted that anti-venom should be administered within six hours of the snakebite and claimed to possess a standard operating procedure supporting that view.

She further alleged that Lake repeatedly called for journalists to be summoned, shouting: "Call the journalists, call the journalists."

The letter also stated that Therensius Lazakar objected to the medical decision and voiced his concerns in a raised tone.

The doctor further alleged that another DPRD member, Norbertus Tubani, arrived at the hospital and protested the decision. According to the letter, he pointed at her face twice and said: "Remember my face. I am a member of Commission III of the DPRD, which oversees the Health Office."

Claims of psychological trauma

In the letter, the doctor described the incident as a source of severe psychological distress.

She wrote that she felt intimidated, verbally abused and subjected to intense pressure in front of colleagues, patients and members of the public.

The doctor said the incident undermined both her professional judgement and her dignity as a healthcare worker.

She emphasised that healthcare workers are entitled to legal and professional protection, personal security and respect while carrying out their duties in accordance with medical standards and applicable laws.

In her letter, she requested that authorities investigate the incident, clarify the roles of those involved and assess whether disciplinary, ethical or legal action should be taken.

She also called for measures to ensure healthcare workers could perform their duties in an environment free from intimidation.

Hospitalisation and death

According to local officials, the doctor's mental health deteriorated rapidly following the incident.

The day after the confrontation, she reportedly became seriously unwell and was admitted to hospital.

After spending approximately one week receiving treatment, she returned to her family home in Kupang Regency, around 250 kilometres from Kefamenanu.

She later died by suicide by hanging on 26 June.

North Central Timor DPRD Speaker Kristoforus Efi said he had followed the case from the outset and visited the doctor while she was receiving treatment.

Efi said she described feeling deeply humiliated by the incident and believed she had failed in her role as a doctor.

"The victim was suffering from severe depression. She told me that she had attempted suicide three times," Efi said.

Ethics investigation underway

The allegations contained in the doctor's letter identify three North Central Timor DPRD members as being involved in the incident: Therensius Lazakar of the Golkar Party faction, Norbertus Tubani of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction and Veronika Lake of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction.

As of 29 June, no official statements had been issued by the political parties to which the three legislators belong.

Local media reported that attempts to contact the three DPRD members by telephone were unsuccessful because their phones were switched off.

Efi said the victim's family had submitted a complaint to both the DPRD leadership and the institution's Honour Council.

He stated that the Honour Council would continue its ethics investigation and pledged that there would be no interference in the process.

Efi also acknowledged the intense public scrutiny directed at the DPRD following the doctor's death and offered an apology on behalf of the institution.

The investigation by the Honour Council is continuing.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of self-harm, contact local emergency services or a suicide prevention helpline in your area.