IDAI Chairman Warns of El Niño's Impact on Children's Health

The chair of the Central Board of the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI), Dr dr Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, urged the public to be vigilant about the health impacts of the El Niño phenomenon on children. He said El Niño can trigger extreme drought and significant temperature rises, even more so when aggravated by global climate change. “The impacts could be quite serious for our children. Children are a highly vulnerable age group when facing extreme weather,” Dr Piprim said during an IDAI monitoring webinar in Jakarta on Tuesday (19 May 2026). Dr Piprim explained that extreme heat due to El Niño can increase the risk of dehydration and heatstroke in children. In addition, climate change could also lead to an increased spread of certain viruses and bacteria, particularly due to clean water shortages in several areas. He added that the lack of clean water can force communities, including children, to consume unhygienic water. As a result, the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery and typhoid increases. “Very hot air temperatures can also raise cases of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI). Then sporadic rainfall events could trigger a surge in the population of dengue-carrying mosquitoes,” said Dr Piprim. As a paediatrician, Dr Piprim said this condition warrants serious attention. He emphasised the importance of educating parents about the health impacts of weather changes related to El Niño. He urged parents to ensure their children stay adequately hydrated and not wait until they feel thirsty. Children who are active outdoors are advised to wear hats or head protection to reduce sun exposure.