Jakarta. The Jakarta administration has placed 367 health facilities on standby to treat potential health problems linked to forest fire haze after satellite monitoring detected smoke from Sumatra and Kalimantan moving across Greater Jakarta on Friday, Oct. 16.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said the facilities were ready to treat residents experiencing health problems suspected to be related to haze exposure, regardless of whether they hold Jakarta identity cards.

The facilities comprise 31 city-owned hospitals, 44 community health centers and 292 auxiliary community health centers.

“The services are not limited to Jakarta ID card holders. Anyone who visits a community health center, an auxiliary health center or a hospital is welcome, as long as they are suspected of experiencing health problems related to the haze,” Pramono told reporters on Monday.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) detected smoke from forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan moving across Jakarta, Banten and West Java on Oct. 16 through satellite monitoring.

However, the agency said on Oct. 17 that the smoke was beginning to move away from Greater Jakarta. It also cautioned that smoke detected in the upper atmosphere did not necessarily indicate deteriorating air quality at ground level.

The Jakarta administration remains on alert, as air quality in the capital is also affected by local sources of pollution, including vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, as well as dry-season conditions.

Several air quality monitoring stations in Jakarta continue to record moderate to unhealthy conditions, with fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 among the key pollutants of concern.

PM2.5 consists of tiny airborne particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. Exposure can cause respiratory and cardiovascular health problems, with children, older people and those with existing respiratory conditions particularly vulnerable.

Pramono said he had not yet received reports on the number of residents seeking treatment for health problems potentially linked to haze exposure. He assured the public, however, that the city's health facilities were prepared to respond if cases emerged.

The move is intended to ensure that anyone experiencing suspected haze-related health problems can access medical care, regardless of their place of residence or possession of a Jakarta identity card.

Add as a preferred source on Google +