Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | City
Local Tangerang resident, Rasidin, has reported the city's regent Ismet Iskandar to the Jakarta Police, with claims his brother died after receiving free medical treatment promoted in the district by Ismet's office.
The free medical treatment was available from the end of November for some 20 days and covered several subdistricts in Tangerang.
Rasidin, a resident of Mauk subdistrict, said his brother Hamdan was sent to hospital after consuming medicine provided at the beginning of December.
On Dec. 14, Hamdan 46, passed away. He is survived by his wife and two children.
"He only had the flu at that time, but after consuming the medicine, he went into a coma three hours later, and died in hospital eight days later," Rasdin's lawyer Ahmad Bay Yefni Lubis said.
Ismet is set to run for a second term in office with his running partner Rano Kano. The official campaign starts early next year.
Ismet said the free medical treatment was regularly on offer in his area, however, all treatment provided was registered under his name.
Rasidin has accused Ismet of violating Article 359 of the Criminal Code, which covers negligent conduct causing death.
Head of Tangerang's health agency Hanny Hariyanot said he was sure the death was not related to the free medicine provided. He said the clinic had provided Hamdan with pain killers and vitamin pills.
"The painkillers, Antalgin, rarely cause allergic reaction," Hanny said.
"On the other hand, if the medicines were faulty, why is Hamdan the only person who had a reaction?
"There were 300 to 400 patients that received treatment.
"Hamdan had long suffered from meningitis, and he died because of that," he told reporters.
Critics and patients have complained about the quality of public health in the country.
They say the underprivileged are often neglected by hospitals and some are sent home because they cannot afford to pay.
Critics have also said free medical treatment is often used as a token gesture by the government; poor patients are given vitamins instead of "real" medicine for their illnesses
Local Tangerang resident, Rasidin, has reported the city's regent Ismet Iskandar to the Jakarta Police, with claims his brother died after receiving free medical treatment promoted in the district by Ismet's office.
The free medical treatment was available from the end of November for some 20 days and covered several subdistricts in Tangerang.
Rasidin, a resident of Mauk subdistrict, said his brother Hamdan was sent to hospital after consuming medicine provided at the beginning of December.
On Dec. 14, Hamdan 46, passed away. He is survived by his wife and two children.
"He only had the flu at that time, but after consuming the medicine, he went into a coma three hours later, and died in hospital eight days later," Rasdin's lawyer Ahmad Bay Yefni Lubis said.
Ismet is set to run for a second term in office with his running partner Rano Kano. The official campaign starts early next year.
Ismet said the free medical treatment was regularly on offer in his area, however, all treatment provided was registered under his name.
Rasidin has accused Ismet of violating Article 359 of the Criminal Code, which covers negligent conduct causing death.
Head of Tangerang's health agency Hanny Hariyanot said he was sure the death was not related to the free medicine provided. He said the clinic had provided Hamdan with pain killers and vitamin pills.
"The painkillers, Antalgin, rarely cause allergic reaction," Hanny said.
"On the other hand, if the medicines were faulty, why is Hamdan the only person who had a reaction?
"There were 300 to 400 patients that received treatment.
"Hamdan had long suffered from meningitis, and he died because of that," he told reporters.
Critics and patients have complained about the quality of public health in the country.
They say the underprivileged are often neglected by hospitals and some are sent home because they cannot afford to pay.
Critics have also said free medical treatment is often used as a token gesture by the government; poor patients are given vitamins instead of "real" medicine for their illnesses
