Jakarta – Due to air pollution in the Jakarta, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Greater Jakarta) area, cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) have recently increased, according to Ministry of Health records.
Director General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health (MoH), Maxi Rein Rondonuwu said that ARI cases up to 28 August 2023 reached more than 200,000 per month. This fact was conveyed in a press briefing on “Handling the Impact of Air Pollution on Public Health” in Jakarta. He said it was not possible for the Ministry of Health to handle air pollution by themselves.
The number of infection cases increased compared to the average number of cases in January 2023 of 100,000. Likewise, it increased compared to less than 100,000 cases in January 2021.
The Ministry of Health has been conducting surveillance every week related to ARI and pneumonia at health centres and hospitals. In addition, monitoring is carried out related to PM2.5 pollutant levels in Jabodetabek. The detection of PM2.5 pollutant levels is also carried out with other related ministries, including the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
“We will make efforts to handle cases of respiratory diseases and ARI at Puskesmas, what kind of ARI treatment and also pneumonia treatment in hospitals, specifically for Jabodetabek, we will take an inventory,” Rondonuwu said.
To deal with air pollution, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi has established the Committee for Respiratory Disease and the Impact of Air Pollution with the Decree of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number HK.01.07/MENKES/1625/2023 on the Committee for Respiratory Disease and the Impact of Air Pollution, dated 14 August 2023. (Hartatik)
