Kapuas Launches Portal to Monitor Health Impacts of Forest and Land Fires

The Kapuas Regency Government, Central Kalimantan, through the local Health Office, has launched a monitoring portal to track the impact of forest and land fires (karhutla) on health in the region.

“This portal is crucial for the community amidst the haze emergency currently affecting the area,” said the Head of the Kapuas Health Office, Dr Agus Waluyo, in Kuala Kapuas on Monday.

According to him, the portal, accessible via dinkes.kapuaskab.go.id/web/pemantauan-ispa-karhutla/, is designed as an information hub presenting the latest data on Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) cases and air quality based on the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU).

The department is paying serious attention to the surge in ARI cases. Over the past two weeks, 2,63<0xA0>38 ARI cases have been recorded and treated, making it the disease with the highest number of cases.

“This portal is expected to serve as a basis for evaluation and to encourage improved prevention efforts and healthcare services in the region,” said Agus.

The air quality index categories include Unhealthy (101-200), which can cause respiratory tract irritation; Very Unhealthy (201-300), which can exacerbate symptoms in sufferers of ARI, pneumonia, and heart disease; and finally, Hazardous (301-400), where symptoms become more serious and even healthy individuals may easily feel fatigued.

Currently, several areas in Kalimantan fall into the unhealthy to hazardous categories. Some regions have even recorded ISPU values above 300, which pose a threat to health.

In facing these conditions, the public is urged to wear masks when performing outdoor activities, limit outdoor excursions—especially for vulnerable groups—and maintain physical resilience with nutritious food and sufficient rest. Furthermore, the public is required to monitor the latest ISPU information before engaging in outdoor activities.