Jakarta Police Arrest Staff, Operators of Illegal Abortion Clinics in Menteng
February 25, 2016 | 10:19 am
Jakarta. Police raided two illegal abortion clinics in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (24/02), after receiving reports from local residents.
Jakarta Police's head of precinct resources, Adj. Sr. Comr. Adi Vivid said that police officials apprehended doctors, staff members and several of the clinics' panderers in Menteng, Central Jakarta. One of the "doctors" was only a junior high school graduate who did not have any formal training in medicine.
"She shouldn't be performing abortions in the first place," Adi said, adding that the suspect had taught herself how to carry out the procedure, using medical equipment that were rusted and below any medical standards.
"There were real, qualified doctors there, but they are general practitioners, not obstetricians," Adi said.
The existence of the illegal abortion clinics on Jalan Cimandiri No. 7 and Jalan Cisadane No.19 came to light after local residents made several reports to authorities.
Police also found that the clinics promote their illegals services transparently through a website.
Several doctors known by the initials A.M., S.A.L., N.E.H., M.N. and U.I. were identified as employees who performed medical procedures, while H.A.S., R., R.E., Z.T., and I.A. are known to be staff of the clinic.
Police also arrested H, N, H.S., and S.H. who acted as middlemen for the clinics on the streets.
"We apprehended M.N., as well as the clinic manager M.M., also known as A," Adi said.
The panderers searched for potential clients and refer them to the two clinics and reportedly nine others operating in the area.
The clients are charged a fee depending on how far she is in her pregnancy. For pregnancies ranging from one-18 weeks, the price ranged between Rp 2.5 million and Rp 3 million ($186.38-$223.66). For a six-month pregnancy the clinic would charge at least Rp 10 million, depending on the customer's socioeconomic background.
The panderers also charge clients a registration fee of Rp 50,000, and a further Rp 250,000 for an ultrasound.
The potential client would usually "consult" one of the doctors on the procedure, as well as the fee – those who could not afford to pay upfront were allowed to place a down payment, which secures a slot for an abortion within the next three days after the rest of the payment clears.
During the procedure, patients were given a local anesthetic for the procedure, which usually takes about five minutes, after which the patient would be given some painkillers and told to return for check ups in the first and second week.
Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama said he was furious upon discovering the existence of the illegals abortion clinics, asking Jakarta Police to shut all of the clinics' network. Basuki also asked The Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) to step up its patrols and be more proactive in seeking illegal clinics.
Open secret
The two clinics raided on Wednesday reportedly operated under the guise of law offices, but their true services had long been an "open secret" among residents of the Cikini area in Menteng, particularly prostitutes.
"I knew the place from a friend and after I found out I was pregnant my pimp took me there to get an abortion," said Gadis, a prostitute who shared her experience with the Jakarta Globe.
The 23-year-old said most brothels knew about the clinics.
"Many customers are students. The place has a famous reputation," Gadis said, adding that motorcycle taxi drivers working the Cikini area would often help potential customers in finding a clinic.
Though police said the Cikini centers started operating five years ago, rumors of their existence have been swirling around Jakarta since the 1980s.
In June 2012, police raided an illegal abortion clinic in Senen, Central Jakarta, following a patient fatality. The clinic, which look like a residential home, was located 200 meters from Central Jakarta Police headquarters.
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