Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Ministry of Health has deployed 314 medical personnel and medical supplies to seven provinces hit by forest and land fires.
The move is aimed at responding to an air quality crisis that has triggered a surge in acute respiratory infection cases.
“To mitigate the health impacts of the wildfires, we have mobilized 314 healthcare workers—including doctors, nurses, midwives, and epidemiologists—focusing primarily on Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan,” Health Crisis Center Head Agus Jamaludin said in a statement received on Sunday.
According to him, more than three million residents across 37 districts and cities have been directly exposed to haze from the forest and land fires occurring across seven Indonesian provinces.
Ministry of Health data as of Friday (August 21) shows the seven affected provinces are Jambi, Riau, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan.
Six of these provinces have declared an emergency alert status amid a prolonged drought that has persisted since early 2026.
Acute respiratory infection cases have surged significantly across several regions. In Central Kalimantan, cases jumped 78.1 percent in just one week, rising from 402 to 716.
Meanwhile, West Kalimantan has recorded more than 151,000 cases since January 2026, with the highest spikes occurring in Pontianak, Kubu Raya, and Mempawah. A similar trend, accompanied by cases of asthma and irritation, was also reported in Riau and South Kalimantan.
Despite the surge, no casualties have been reported from the haze impact.
Agus affirmed that, in addition to deploying medical personnel, the Ministry of Health is intensively distributing medical supplies and medicines.
In total, distributed supplies include 278,940 face masks, 56 oxygen concentrators, 40 face shields, 1,000 pairs of medical gloves, 36 canisters of portable oxygen, eight sets of personal protective equipment, 33 boxes of supplementary food, along with medicines and vitamins.
In high-risk areas such as North Barito District, East Barito District, and Palangka Raya City, the government has established health posts and oxygen rooms.
Additionally, the “Oase Udara” (Air Oasis) initiative is being implemented in West Kalimantan health facilities to ensure oxygen access for residents experiencing respiratory distress.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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