Smoke Continues to Cover Palembang, ISPA Cases Soar

In the last six days, the air quality in Palembang has remained unhealthy. As a result, ISPA cases have increased. If conditions do not improve within two days, the South Sumatra Provincial Government plans to increase disaster status.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Asap Terus Selimuti Palembang, Kasus ISPA Melonjak

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

A number of motor vehicle drivers wear masks on one of the streets in Palembang, South Sumatra, Wednesday (6/9/2023). The unhealthy air condition in the last six days has forced them to wear masks. Smoke from land fires is the cause.

PALEMBANG, KOMPAS - The impact of smoke in Palembang, South Sumatra, is increasingly concerning. The South Sumatra Provincial Government plans to raise the disaster status if the air quality in Palembang does not improve in the next two days. Due to the smoke, cases of upper respiratory tract infections have also surged.

Air quality in Palembang is still considered fluctuating but falls under the unhealthy category. The concentration of particulate matter (PM 2.5) in Palembang is still below the set threshold of 200 micrograms per cubic meter (µm/m3). If air quality worsens and remains constant in the next two days, the disaster status may be raised from alert to emergency for the ashy disaster.

"We will continue to monitor the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) as there are scientific standards involved," said Governor of South Sumatra, Herman Deru, on Wednesday (September 6th, 2023) in Palembang."

When the disaster status is raised, a number of policies will be made to reduce the risk of illness, one of which is to hold distance learning for school children. "But for now, (that policy) is still not necessary. Students can still learn at school," he said.

Deputy Mayor of Palembang Fitrianti Agustinda is aware of the alarming condition of the smoke and haze. Therefore, she urges citizens to reduce outdoor activities. If necessary, wearing a mask is recommended.

Also Read: Safeguarding the Generation of South Sumatra from Karhutla

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Haze is still occurring in the city of Palembang, South Sumatra, on Tuesday (15/10/2019). The air quality in Palembang is also categorized as dangerous. The South Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has added helicopter fleets to combat fires.

Fitrianti also hopes that the people of Palembang do not burn land or trash as it could worsen the situation. "Currently, the land conditions are very dry, so everything is prone to fire," she said.

ARI is increasing

Head of the Health Department of South Sumatra, Trisnawarman, stated that due to the deteriorating air quality caused by smoke, the number of respiratory tract infections (ISPA) among residents has significantly increased. According to data from the Provincial Health Office, there has been an increase of approximately 4,000 cases within a period of one month.

"In July, there were 31,000 cases of respiratory infections in South Sumatra. In August, the number increased to 35,000 cases," he said. This increase is caused by worsening air quality in several cities, such as Palembang and Ogan Ilir."

"The highest number of cases is indeed in Palembang because the smoke from land fires is directed here," he said. The most vulnerable groups of society to contract respiratory infections are children and elderly citizens."

As a preventive measure, the Health Department of South Sumatra issued a circular to all city and regency governments to prevent the risk of ISPA by regularly distributing masks and educating the public to adopt clean and healthy lifestyles.

According to him, during the dry season there are several diseases that are susceptible to occur, such as diarrhea, dengue fever, typhoid, and respiratory disorders. If this condition does not improve, the number of acute respiratory infection cases in South Sumatra may increase.

Also Read: Forest and Land Fires Begin to Spread in South Sumatra, Artificial Rain Begins to Be Used

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Residents pass through the smoke from the land fire in Sri Mulya Village, Sematang Borang District, Palembang City, South Sumatra on Tuesday (15/10/2019). The fire is already approaching residential homes and with limited water supplies, the residents feel helpless and are desperately in need of assistance.

Vice Principal of State Elementary School 57 Palembang for Student Affairs, Budi Harto, stated that up until now there hasn't been an official directive from the Palembang City Government regarding measures to anticipate the haze. Nevertheless, his office has informed homeroom teachers to provide students with masks when attending classes at school.

If there is a distance learning policy (PJJ) in the future, Budi revealed that they will follow the rules. Distance learning has been implemented before in 2019 when the smoke heavily disrupted teaching and learning activities.

"Indeed, if it is continuously forced, there is concern that the students will become sick," said Budi.

Palembang resident, Dwi Apriyani (34), said that she has limited her child's activities outside the house for the past two weeks. "Even now, every time my child goes to school, I always require him to wear a mask," she said.

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Manggala Agni officers in the operational area of Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), South Sumatra, attempted to extinguish a fire on peatlands in Deling Village, Pangkalan Lampam District, OKI Regency, on Saturday (26/08/2023). The firefighting process lasted from morning until afternoon due to the fire burning shallow peatlands and posing a threat to residents' plantations.

Not only that, inside the house he always operates an air conditioner to reduce the smoke odor that enters the house. "Indeed, the air quality in Palembang is increasingly concerning," he said.