23-10-2023 (JAKARTA) An 18-second video showing the discovery of a human foot wrapped in a bandage washed ashore at Penimbangan Beach, Baktiseraga Village, Buleleng, Bali, has gone viral on social media and circulated widely through WhatsApp (WA) messages. The sight of the severed foot generated considerable excitement among beachgoers.
In the video, several people can be seen reacting hysterically to the discovery of the severed foot on the beach. One visitor attempted to move the foot closer to the water using a bamboo stick.
It has been revealed that the severed foot belongs to a diabetes patient at the Buleleng Regional General Hospital (RSUD). The patient is currently receiving treatment in the Padma Ward of RSUD Buleleng. DetikBali has made attempts to contact the patient’s family, but they have declined to comment.
Details of the Amputation at RSUD Buleleng Head of Public Relations at Buleleng Regional Police, AKP Gede Diatmika, confirmed that the investigation into the discovery of the severed foot is underway. According to him, the foot belongs to a patient identified as MG, who underwent a medical procedure at RSUD Buleleng.
“The organ found at Penimbangan Beach is the result of a medical procedure performed at RSUD Buleleng,” stated Diatmika on Sunday (22/10/2023).
The severed foot was wrapped in a yellow plastic bag and bandaged at the bottom. It was discovered by beach visitors at around 4:00 PM local time.
Family Discards the Severed Foot Diatmika explained that MG had undergone amputation surgery at RSUD Buleleng on Friday (20/10/2023). The severed foot was subsequently discarded at Penimbangan Beach by MG’s family.
The foot was discarded on Penimbangan Beach, located west of the Penimbangan Temple, around 2:00 PM local time. “The family has provided a statement confirming that they discarded the organ resulting from the medical procedure,” Diatmika explained.
Patient Still Undergoing Treatment at RSUD Buleleng Director of RSUD Buleleng, Arya Nugraha, confirmed that the severed body part belongs to a patient at RSUD Buleleng identified as MG. According to him, the patient, MG, suffered from diabetes and had to undergo amputation of the right leg.
“Yes, the patient is still being treated, possibly due to diabetes. Medical records can be checked tomorrow,” stated Arya Nugraha on Sunday.
Arya affirmed that the severed foot was not discarded by the hospital. He explained that the foot had been handed over to the patient’s family after the amputation surgery.
Arya expressed regret regarding the patient’s family discarding the surgical waste into the sea without prior management. Ideally, Arya continued, such body parts should be cremated to avoid environmental pollution.
According to Arya, RSUD Buleleng has a waste management system for surgical waste, collaborating with partners in Java. However, many patients often choose to manage the surgical waste themselves for traditional ceremonies.
“We have a surgical waste management system. It is taken to an incinerator in Java because there isn’t one in Bali. It is collected every week,” he explained.
