Air pollution has exceeded the dangerous threshold four times: oxygen is being provided to the population in buses
Respiratory diseases are increasing in Indonesia due to thick smoke spreading from forest fires.
Due to the sharp deterioration in air quality and the rise in respiratory diseases caused by forest fires in Indonesia, special buses providing free oxygen to the population have been deployed. From August to October 25, nearly 350,000 cases of respiratory diseases related to the fires have been recorded in the country.
According to The Independent, the administration of Palangka Raya city in Central Kalimantan province has launched a bus equipped with oxygen cylinders and medical personnel. Citizens experiencing difficulty breathing are given oxygen through a special tube for 5–10 minutes.
Seasonal forest fires occur frequently in Indonesia, especially on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. This year's fires have become one of the strongest in nearly 11 years. Smoke from the fires has increased respiratory diseases within the country and has also caused a sharp deterioration in air quality in Singapore and Malaysia.
According to reports, the air pollution index in the Borneo and Sumatra regions has exceeded 1,000 points. This is more than four times the threshold of 300 points considered dangerous.
According to the Central Kalimantan provincial health department, at least 127 patients have used the free oxygen service. An "oxygen house" has also been established for the population and personnel involved in extinguishing the fires.
According to the Ministry of Health, from August to October 25, nearly 350,000 cases of respiratory diseases related to the fires have been recorded in the country. Of these, approximately 31,000 are in Central Kalimantan province.
To help the population experiencing difficulty breathing as a result of the smoke, medical personnel register patients on the bus and provide them with oxygen. Local residents who have used the service have reported experiencing symptoms such as cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Meanwhile, protests are also being held in the country demanding that the government strengthen measures against the fires. Last week, thousands of demonstrators demanded a state of emergency be declared. In their opinion, this decision could help allocate additional funds and cover the population's medical expenses. President Prabowo Subianto has not yet made such a decision.
