Nearly 1 Million Masks Distributed to Areas Affected by Forest Fires

The Ministry of Health has distributed 980,315 masks to communities in areas affected by forest and land fires (karhutla). Ministry of Health Spokesperson Widyawati stated that the distribution of masks is part of the health logistics support to address the impacts of wildfire smoke.

“The distribution of 980,315 masks has been completed,” said Widya during a presentation on disaster management progress on Thursday (10/9).

In addition to masks, the Ministry of Health has mobilised various health logistics, including 277 oxygen concentrators, 41,000 pairs of gloves, 36 oxygen cylinders, 4,908 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE), 120 face shields, nine air purifiers, and 248 supplementary feeding packages.

Healthcare personnel support has also been mobilised across seven affected provinces. As of 9 September, the mobilised personnel include 40 people in South Kalimantan, 487 in Central Kalimantan, 121 in West Kalimantan, five in East Kalimantan, 592 in Jambi, 209 in Riau, and 382 in South Sumatra.

For medical services, the Ministry of Health has prepared ,1691 community health centres (puskesmas) as health service posts and 360 referral hospitals. Widyawati urged the public not to panic but to remain vigilant regarding the impacts of wildfire smoke. “The public is requested to wear masks when outdoors, monitor the air quality index, increase water intake, and visit health facilities if experiencing shortness of breath,” she concluded.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has received assistance of 240,000 masks from the private sector to support the management of those affected by the disaster.

The Ministry of Health also confirmed it has coordinated with producers and distributors to ensure a smooth supply of masks after prices were reported to have risen following the eruption of Anak Krakatau.