What started as a routine visit to the clinic for fever and vomiting turned into a nightmare for 1.4-year-old Arumi Aghnia Azkayra and her family.
The toddler from Bima, NTB, Indonesia eventually lost her right hand due to a severe infection; a consequence her mother believes stemmed from a series of medical missteps across three hospitals.
Here’s a breakdown of what happened, according to Arumi’s mother, Marlina:
April 10 — Admitted to Puskesmas Bolo
- Arumi was taken to the emergency department at Puskesmas Bolo for fever and vomiting.
- An IV was inserted into her left hand, but swelling occurred shortly after.
- Marlina alerted the nurses, who removed the IV.
- A new IV was inserted into Arumi’s right hand a few hours later. She was transferred to the children’s ward the next day.
April 11–13 — No improvement in condition
- Arumi stayed in the children’s ward for four days, but her condition did not improve.
- On April 13, Marlina requested a referral to RSUD Sondosia.
- Before the referral, a nurse attempted to inject medication into Arumi’s swollen right hand.
- Marlina warned that the hand looked inflamed, but the nurse dismissed it as “just the plaster” and proceeded with the injection.
Later that day — Swelling worsens
- Arumi cried out in pain and pulled her hand away.
- The IV was removed again, but her right hand became increasingly swollen, from fingers to the back of her hand.
- Marlina tried warm compresses to reduce the swelling.
- That evening, Arumi was finally referred to RSUD Sondosia, but no IV was inserted because staff couldn’t find a suitable vein.
April 13 night — New IV at RSUD Sondosia
- At RSUD Sondosia, nurses managed to insert an IV in Arumi’s left hand.
- Her condition briefly improved and she was admitted to the children’s ward.
April 14 — Condition deteriorates again
- Arumi’s right hand started swelling again the next morning.
- Marlina informed the pediatrician, who said it was fluid buildup and advised using cold compresses.
- Despite compressing for hours, Arumi’s hand swelled beyond the elbow, turned black, became hard, and her fingers went stiff.
April 15 — Referral request initially denied
- Marlina requested a referral to RSUD Bima, but it was denied.
- Instead, she was only given ointment and an IV injection.
- Desperate, Marlina ran to the ER crying, carrying Arumi and begging for help.
- Later that day, the referral was finally granted.
April 15 night — Admitted to RSUD Bima
- At RSUD Bima, Marlina’s concerns were again dismissed.
- The attending doctor said it was “just inflammation” and would subside with medication.
- A nurse reportedly told her:
“Don’t overthink it, ma’am. As long as your child isn’t crying hysterically, she’ll be fine.” - That night, Arumi suffered from high fever and pain, but no doctor came to examine her from midnight to the next day.
April 16, 11 a.m. — Emergency surgery finally conducted
- After seeing Arumi’s condition worsen, Marlina broke down in tears again.
- A specialist finally examined Arumi and called for emergency surgery.
- The doctor found her hand was severely infected, likely due to an earlier IV injection site.
- Her fingers were declared non-functional.
April 18–19 — Transferred to RSUP NTB
- On the night of April 18, Arumi was referred to RSUP NTB for more advanced care.
- By April 19, doctors determined that the infection had spread too far.
- They advised that amputation was necessary to prevent further complications.
May 12 — Arumi’s hand amputated
- With her parents’ consent, Arumi underwent surgery to amputate her palm and fingers.
- Marlina said, “My toddler lost her future because of this medical negligence.”
Now, a demand for justice
Marlina is calling on authorities to:
- Launch a thorough investigation into the incident.
- Hold accountable the medical staff involved.
- Provide long-term support for Arumi, including:
- Educational aid
- Prosthetic assistance
- Psychological support
She’s also urging the Health Ministry and local government to review emergency referral systems and hospital protocols in NTB to prevent another child from suffering the same fate.
We want justice, not just for Arumi, but for every child who depends on this system to survive.”
