Heartbreaking: Jimbaran Residents Suffer as Children Contract Pneumonia Due to Widespread Rubbish Smoke
The proliferation of rubbish burning in the Jimbaran area of Bali has become a major concern for residents, as it causes respiratory problems and lung diseases, particularly among children exposed to the smoke.
One resident, Agatamba, who lives in the Pasraman Unud Jimbaran area, claims that rubbish burning occurs almost daily at various points. This activity often takes place in school environments during class hours or in residential areas.
“It’s almost every day, in every block there’s definitely rubbish burning. And the impact isn’t just on me, but on the young children, because there are many small children here,” said the man, known as Aga, on Thursday (16/4/2026).
Aga revealed that this rubbish burning has been ongoing for about the last year and has become more frequent recently. It has affected his five-year-old child’s health, who has suffered shortness of breath and was diagnosed with pneumonia since the end of last year.
“Well, the impact on me is that first my child had shortness of breath, and finally got pneumonia from last year. Because of this rubbish,” he explained.
In December last year, his child was hospitalised at one of the hospitals in Jimbaran. In April 2026, he underwent a follow-up check-up at a hospital in Denpasar. According to Aga, one paediatric pulmonology specialist mentioned that there were about 24 other children with similar complaints.
“On the 11th of this month, April. I just took my child for a check-up at Kasih Ibu Hospital, specifically to the paediatric pulmonology specialist. And on average, the children who go there have the same illness as my child because of rubbish burning. Even the doctor complained,” said the 33-year-old man.
Over the last two months, his child has had to use an inhaler every day to aid breathing. Meanwhile, he himself has also felt the effects of the smoke, such as sore eyes and shortness of breath.
Agatamba added that the intensity of rubbish burning has increased in recent times. This situation is linked to rubbish not being collected regularly, following the closure of the Suwung landfill.
“Because the rubbish isn’t picked up. The other day it wasn’t collected for two weeks, but we still have to pay the fees, Sis. Every month the rubbish payment,” complained the tourism driver.
He added that residents have actually tried to sort their rubbish. However, limited disposal sites have left managers confused about where to channel the waste.
Agatamba claimed to have reported this problem multiple times to the relevant parties, from the head of his housing complex to repeatedly trying the Badung public’s aspiration service “Contact the Regent”, but has not received any response.
He also once shared a video complaint about rubbish burning around the Unud Dental and Oral Hospital area in Jimbaran, on Wednesday night (15/4/2026). The post garnered attention from netizens. However, when contacted, the Jimbaran Traditional Village Head had not yet provided a response or confirmation.