The ministry's Head of Communication and Public Information Bureau, Aji Muhawarman, said on Friday that the hospital had apologized to the patient, while the family also apologized after the incident, which stemmed from a misunderstanding, went viral on social media.
He explained that the mother had entrusted her baby to a health worker while completing administrative procedures.
The worker, who serves at a pediatric clinic, later handed the baby to another person.
"There was no criminal intent; it was a mistake by the health worker," Muhawarman said.
He added that the incident highlights the need to follow standard operating procedures and avoid leaving infants unattended.
Earlier, a mother, Nina Saleha (27), shared on social media that she briefly left her baby and returned after sensing something was wrong, only to find the child being held by someone else.
She recognized the baby from the clothes and blanket and confirmed it was her child.
According to her, the nurse said she had called her several times but received no response before handing the baby to another person. The baby’s identification bracelet had also been removed.
Hasan Sadikin Hospital has apologized for the incident.
"We deeply apologize for the inconvenience experienced by Mrs. Nina Saleha," the hospital's President Director Rachim Dinata Marsidi said, adding that a comprehensive evaluation would be conducted.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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