Traffic police at risk of TB
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Jakarta's traffic police face increased risks of acute respiratory infections and tuberculosis (TB) due to the high levels of air pollution in the capital.
Speaking during a seminar at Jakarta Police Headquarters on Wednesday, the head of the Jakarta traffic police, Sr. Comr. Djoko Susilo, said that in 2004, 22 officers suffered from acute respiratory problems, including TB.
City police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said during the seminar that, "Police officers rarely pay attention to their health because they only think of their obligation to get the job done. Police on the street run a greater risk of developing acute respiratory illnesses, TB or even lung cancer because the number of vehicles in Jakarta continues to rise, resulting in higher levels of air pollution".
During the seminar on respiratory health, held to commemorate World TB Day on March 24, PT Kalbe Farma donated dozens of masks to the city police to help protect officers from air pollution. Traffic officers must deal with vehicle exhaust, factory smoke, dust particles and cigarette smoker.
Djoko said most officers who worked on the street were not equipped with proper masks. "We have 2,750 officers on duty around Jakarta, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi, and we do not have enough masks to cover all personnel. And when we do provide the masks, some officers lack the discipline to wear them regularly."
"I hope more companies in the health sector will help us prevent respiratory disease from spreading among the police force," added Djoko.
Dr. Pradjna Paramita, a lung and respiratory specialist at Mitra Keluarga Kelapa Gading Hospital in North Jakarta, said acute respiratory problems could be a sign of tuberculosis, which can result in death unless treated in the early stages.
Lung diseases are among the top killers in Indonesia due to high levels of pollution and poor hygiene.
Firman Gani said that in addition to street officers, police detectives and intelligence officers spent a lot of time outside the office and should also be supplied with masks.
"Besides providing masks, we provide medical treatment and medicine, conduct regular health checkups and allocate funds for better nutrition," said Firman.
Djoko Susilo said that every three months the National Police and the Jakarta Police's health division provided physical checkups for officers.
To minimize the affects of pollution on officers, anyone found to have a respiratory problem during these checkups is reassigned to low pollution areas or is placed on limited duty during hours when traffic is lightest.
"Those officers will not work 12 or 18 hours straight, but only a few hours at a time," said Djoko.