Awal Bros Batam handles rare heart case locally in a breakthrough for regional care
Rumah Sakit Awal Bros Batam has marked a major medical milestone in the Riau Islands after successfully implanting a pacemaker in a newborn baby, a first for the province and a significant step forward for advanced care in Batam.
Rare Heart Condition Detected at Birth
The baby boy was born at 36 weeks of pregnancy weighing 2,700 grams and was diagnosed with Congenital Atrioventricular Block, or CAVB, a rare congenital condition that disrupts the heart’s electrical system. As a result, his heart rate was only around 45 to 70 beats per minute, far below the normal newborn range of 120 to 160 beats per minute.
Family Faced a Difficult Choice
Because the baby’s condition was critical, a pacemaker had to be implanted soon after birth. The family had to choose between delivering in Jakarta, where more complete facilities were available, or remaining in Batam and proceeding with a procedure that had never before been performed there. In the end, they decided to stay in Batam, taking into account the risks of long-distance travel for a fragile newborn.
Multispecialist Team Prepared Early
The case had been carefully planned since the pregnancy stage. Dr. Yanuarman, a specialist in obstetrics and fetal medicine, monitored the fetus and coordinated the cross-specialist team. After birth, the baby’s condition was stabilized in the NICU under the care of pediatric specialist Dr. Rizky Adriansyah before surgery could proceed.
Operation Was Successful and Stable
The operation took about two hours and was completed without complications. The key procedure was carried out by thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons Dr. Victor Jesron Nababan and Dr. Darma Satria, who implanted a mini pacemaker in the baby’s abdominal wall. After surgery, the baby was treated intensively in the NICU with support from facilities including an incubator, ventilator, and Bubble CPAP.
Breakthrough for Batam’s Medical Capability
Hospital director Dr. Widya Putri said the success reflected strong teamwork and the growing capability of Batam’s healthcare system. She described it as one patient, four specialists, and one shared goal. The baby is now reported to be stable, with heart rate improved to around 110 beats per minute, good feeding reflexes, and no further complications. The case is being seen as proof that complex medical conditions can increasingly be handled in Batam without referring patients out of the region.
This successful pacemaker implantation is more than a hospital achievement. For Batam and the wider Riau Islands, it signals that local medical services are becoming more capable of handling rare and high-risk cases close to home. For Singaporeans and regional observers, it also highlights how healthcare standards in nearby Batam are steadily advancing, giving families more confidence in specialist treatment without needing to travel far.
Sources: Batampos (2026)
Keywords: Batam Pacemaker Surgery, Awal Bros Batam, Congenital Atrioventricular Block, Newborn Heart Surgery, Kepri Medical Milestone, NICU Care, Cardiac Specialists
