Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto has ordered a sweeping investigation into hospital services in Papua after a pregnant woman died following alleged refusals by four medical facilities, a case that has triggered national outrage and scrutiny of Indonesia’s healthcare system in its easternmost province.

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said the president instructed him to conduct a comprehensive audit after receiving reports that the woman, Irene Sokoy, and her unborn child died on Nov. 17 after being denied adequate treatment in Jayapura and surrounding areas.

“President Prabowo’s directive is clear: investigate where the system failed. Gather all hospitals, local health offices, both provincial and district-level, including private facilities,” Tito said after a cabinet meeting on Monday.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin traveled to Jayapura with a joint team from the Health Ministry and Home Affairs Ministry to launch an on-site audit. The review will examine local regulations, referral procedures, medical staffing, and emergency readiness.

The case, widely reported in Papua, centers on Irene, who began experiencing contractions on Nov. 16 in Hobong village and was transported by boat to Yowari Regional Hospital in Jayapura Regency. Her condition deteriorated as she struggled to breathe and labor failed to progress, yet family members said no doctor was on duty. A referral letter was delayed past midnight, and the ambulance departed at 1:22 a.m.

The family said they faced repeated rejections: first at Dian Harapan Hospital, then at Abepura Regional Hospital, both citing various constraints, including lack of available doctors. At Bhayangkara Hospital, staff reportedly requested a Rp 4 million ($240) upfront payment for a VIP room, saying the free healthcare wards were full. The family pleaded for immediate treatment, but the hospital issued another referral instead.

At around 3:30 a.m., the ambulance headed toward Jayapura’s main provincial hospital, but Irene’s condition became critical en route. The family turned back to Bhayangkara Hospital, arriving at 5:00 a.m., where she and her baby were pronounced dead.

Papua Governor Matius Fakhiri, who visited the grieving family, issued a public apology, calling the incident a “catastrophic failure” of the regional health system. He vowed to replace hospital directors under the provincial government and address long-neglected medical equipment and staffing gaps. “Serve the patient first, everything else later,” he said.

Yowari Hospital’s director, Maryen Braweri, said the facility followed proper procedures and will cooperate with an independent investigation.

The central government said the audit will be completed swiftly to prevent similar tragedies in Papua’s already strained healthcare network.