Semarang. Nuzmatun Malinah, the grieving mother of Dr. Aulia Risma Lestari, broke down as she revealed the harsh conditions her daughter endured during her specialist training at Diponegoro University’s Anesthesia Program at Dr. Kariadi General Hospital.

The 30-year-old doctor was found dead in her studio flat on Aug. 12. She had been treating patients at the hospital as part of her training. Allegations suggest that Dr. Aulia may have taken her own life due to severe bullying by senior students in the program. In response, the government has suspended the anesthesia specialist training program at Kariadi Hospital while investigations are underway.

The police have interviewed 17 witnesses, including Dr. Aulia’s friends, family members, and officials from the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The family hopes that Dr. Aulia’s death will lead to reforms in Indonesia’s medical education system and has proposed that Aug. 12 be designated as a national anti-bullying day.

Undip Dean Confirms Bullying and Extortion in Anesthesiology Program Linked to Doctor's Tragic Death

Nuzmatun recounted that her daughter, overwhelmed by the demanding schedule of the specialist program, suffered a severe accident after falling off her motorcycle due to exhaustion. According to Nuzmatun, Aulia’s schedule started at 3:00 a.m. and often ended around 1:00-1:30 a.m., a concern she had raised since the beginning of her studies in 2022.

“She complained from the start of 2022. She had to be in the room with equipment ready by 3:00 a.m., and she would return home around 1:00 - 1:30 a.m. This routine continued until she fell off her motorcycle on Aug. 25, 2022,” Nuzmatun said tearfully.

Before her death, Dr. Aulia experienced severe back and leg pain, aggravated by an earlier fall into a ditch while riding home. Despite her injuries, she adhered to the harsh demands of the program.

“Due to exhaustion, she fell into a ditch and managed to get up and return to her dorm. After the fall, she felt pain in her legs and back,” Nuzmatun added.

Bullying: A Chronic Disease in Indonesia’s Medical Training

Nuzmatun had previously approached the Head of the Anesthesia Program, requesting that her daughter be given lighter duties due to her post-accident condition. Her pleas were ignored, and no adjustments were made.

“The response was that it was meant to build mental resilience for dealing with various patients. I asked if there were no other ways, but my request was met with no change,” Nuzmatun lamented.

Prior to joining the specialist program, Dr. Aulia was in good health. Despite her illness, she endured what Nuzmatun described as inhumane treatment, including being reprimanded for slow performance and required to carry items upstairs despite her injuries.

The Health Ministry has received nearly 1,500 reports related to bullying at medical specialist schools, with about 30 percent verified as bullying cases. They have also received 211 reports of bullying at Health Ministry-run schools. The government reported that it had strictly sanctioned those involved.

Commonly reported forms of bullying include inhumane working hours and unrelated tasks.

Nuzmatun also reported that Aulia faced financial extortion during her training, amounting to approximately Rp 225 million. All relevant transaction evidence has been submitted to the Central Java Police for investigation.

“We have provided the data to the police, including bank statements. I have reported the financial burdens my daughter faced, which were used for her class and other expenses. This was a monthly occurrence, with initial payments going to seniors and the rest to her cohort,” Nuzmatun explained.

Yan Wisnu Prajoko, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Diponegoro University, confirmed cases of bullying and unofficial fees imposed on first-semester students. Fees ranged from Rp 20 million to Rp 40 million per student per semester.

Yan explained that first-year students were required to contribute financially to support their seniors during their specialist training.

Misyal Ahmad, the family’s lawyer, condemned the systemic issues within the profession, calling them criminal acts perpetrated by otherwise respectable individuals. He emphasized the need for a thorough cleansing of these practices to ensure fair treatment for future medical professionals.

“This is an extraordinary crime perpetrated by seemingly intellectual and sophisticated individuals. It’s crucial to address these issues to prevent such abuse in the future,” Ahmad asserted.

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If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or crisis, please reach out to https://www.intothelightid.org/tentang-bunuh-diri/hotline-dan-konseling.

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