Indonesia records 174,694 ARI cases amid forest and land fires

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3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Health recorded 174,694 cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in areas affected by forest and land fires between August 18 and September 21, of which 40,363 cases involved children under five.

The ministry’s Director of Environmental Health, Then Suyanti, said at a press conference on Tuesday that the latest data showed 4,533 active ARI cases.

“Today’s data is 4,533. So the rest have recovered,” she said.

The ministry is monitoring the health impacts of forest and land fires in seven provinces: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan.

Suyanti said her office is taking several measures to address the health impacts of forest and land fires, including educating the public and monitoring ARI cases in affected areas.

In addition, the ministry is strengthening health posts and hospitals to serve people experiencing health problems by providing various medical equipment and logistical supplies.

“We are mobilizing logistical assistance in the form of oxygen concentrators, masks, oxygen cylinders, and preparing a Health Laboratory to help conduct air quality testing. We are also mobilizing Health Reserve Workers (TCK) in districts and cities,” she said.

The ministry has also issued a recommendation to local governments to consider implementing distance learning (PJJ) as a measure to reduce smoke exposure among children, who are considered a vulnerable group. According to Suyanti, the measure aims to reduce children’s outdoor activities when air quality deteriorates due to smoke from forest and land fires.

Furthermore, the ministry continues to monitor air quality, ARI cases, the readiness of health facilities, and the availability of medical supplies in affected areas.

The ministry said it would continue response and prevention efforts to minimize health risks, particularly among vulnerable groups, while forest and land fires and smoke exposure persist.