Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Kidney disorder medicine, Fomepizole, for patients suffering acute kidney injuries (AKI) is expected to arrive in Indonesia sooner and this antidote drug will be provided free of charge to all patients, the country’s Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin has said.

"We will give the medicine to AKI patients for free," the Minister of Health said in a written statement received here on Tuesday.

As many as 10 of the 11 AKI patients who took syrup drugs suspected of being contaminated with certain chemical compounds gradually improved after taking this kidney disorder medicine while being treated at the referral hospital of the Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central General Hospital (RSCM).

"We can conclude that this drug (Fomepizole) has a positive impact and we will accelerate its arrival to Indonesia so that the children can be saved," the minister stated.

According to him, the AKI patients were unable to urinate before, while dialysis did not give any improvement and even worsened frequently.

However, after taking the medicine, the patients began to urinate little by little, he said, adding the patients who previously could not urinate began to urinate and those who were unconscious began to regain consciousness.

Indonesia has imported Fomepizole from Singapore. Then, the medicine will come from Australia, the United States, and Japan. RSCM will distribute it to government hospitals which are referrals in the province.

“This is what we are preparing to provide an antidote. We will distribute it to all government hospitals that treat AKI patients," he said.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, cases of acute kidney failure affecting children aged six months-18 years have increased, especially in the last two months. As of Oct. 18, 2022, 189 cases have been reported, mostly dominated by those aged 1-5 years.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo previously asked all parties to pay serious attention to the case of acute kidney failure that attacks hundreds of children in Indonesia.

The head of state has even ordered that the treatment of acute kidney failure be free in all health facilities.

Reporting by Indonesia Window