The Health Ministry is preparing 740 medical facilities to treat people with acute respiratory infection (ISPA) caused by the unhealthy air quality and air pollution in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi.
The medical facilities consisted of 674 public health centers (Puskesmas), 66 hospitals, and Pershabatan Central General Hospital (RSUP Persahabatan) as the National Respiratory Center.
“[The ministry] has asked the professional organization and the collegiums of pulmonology to train the doctors in public health centers concerning lung diseases, since they will treat ISPA patients, and we will ensure they are equipped with medical tools,” said Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin during a meeting on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, as quoted by Antara.
In regards to pneumonia, Budi Gunadi added, has to be treated at the hospital, since the treatment requires an X-ray.
In addition to medical facilities, the ministry also actively carries out preventive measures and educates the public concerning ISPA symptoms. The Health Ministry also encourages the residents of Greater Jakarta to wear masks while doing outside activities.
“We recommend [the public] to wear any masks that are able to filter out the particulate matter or PM2.5 since it’s the smallest [pollutant]. Wear KF94 or KN95 masks while outside and install an air purifier inside the room to clean the dust from outside,” he said.
Previously, the ministry has asked the public to apply preventive measures to mitigate the effects of air pollution in Greater Jakarta. The measures include checking the air quality through an application or a website, reducing outside activity and closing ventilation in buildings, installing air purifiers, avoiding pollution sources and cigarette smoke, wearing masks while the pollution level is high, applying healthy and hygienic lifestyle, and consult to a medical professional in case of respiratory problems.
