Ministry of Health Finds 245 Cases of Acute Kidney Injury, This is the Distribution Area

According to data from the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), as of October 23, 2022, there were 245 cases of atypical progressive acute kidney injury (GGAPA) spread across 26 provinces in Indonesia.

"Eight provinces account for 80% of the total cases, including DKI Jakarta, West Java, Aceh, East Java, West Sumatra, Bali, Banten, and North Sumatra," said Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin in a press conference at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (24/10/2022).

Distribution of Atypical Progressive Acute Kidney Injury Cases in Indonesia as of October 23, 2022:

1. DKI Jakarta: 55 cases
2. West Java: 34 cases
3. Aceh: 28 cases
4. East Java: 27 cases
5. West Sumatra: 17 cases
6. Bali: 15 cases
7. Banten: 12 cases
8. North Sumatra: 12 cases
9. South Sulawesi: 8 cases
10. Yogyakarta: 6 cases
11. Central Java: 5 cases
12. Jambi: 4 cases
13. South Kalimantan: 3 cases
14. Riau Islands: 3 cases
15. West Nusa Tenggara: 2 cases
16. Lampung: 2 cases
17. Southeast Sulawesi: 2 cases
18. East Nusa Tenggara: 2 cases
19. Gorontalo: 1 case
20. North Sulawesi: 1 case
21. Bangka Belitung Islands: 1 case
22. Papua: 1 case
23. South Sumatra: 1 case
24. Bengkulu: 1 case
25. North Kalimantan: 1 case
26. Central Kalimantan: 1 case

Minister Budi stated that the national fatality rate for GGAPA cases reached 57.6%.

"Based on toxicological analysis of patients, investigation of medications consumed by patients, and references from the World Health Organization (WHO), it is highly likely that patients suffering from acute kidney injury were exposed to dangerous chemical compounds from syrup medications they consumed," said Minister Budi.

Previously, on October 5, 2022, the WHO issued a warning regarding four brands of syrup medications containing ethylene glycol, suspected of being linked to the deaths of 66 children due to acute kidney failure in Gambia.

"Based on the WHO release, the presence of chemicals in patients, biopsy evidence showing kidney damage due to these chemicals, and the presence of these chemicals in medications found in patients' homes, we conclude that the cause is indeed chemical drugs that are contaminants or impurities from this solvent," said Budi.

In response to this situation, the Kemenkes has issued a circular urging pharmacies not to sell over-the-counter and/or over-the-counter limited medications in liquid/syrup form.

The Kemenkes also requested that health workers at health facilities temporarily not prescribe medications in liquid/syrup form until the investigation and research are complete.