Yesterday's News: From the impact of forest fires on the elderly to Mount Sinabung on alert
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Several humanitarian events occurred in Indonesia on Tuesday (1/9), ranging from the Ministry of Health implementing a comprehensive strategy to prevent health impacts from forest and land fires (karhutla) on the elderly, to the status of Mount Sinabung being raised to alert level.
Ministry of Health takes comprehensive steps to prevent forest fire impacts on the elderly
The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) stated that it is implementing a comprehensive strategy to prevent health impacts from forest and land fires on the elderly, who are identified as a vulnerable group.
Imran Pambuster, Director of Health Services for Vulnerable Groups at the Ministry of Health, stated that the forest fires affecting several provinces in Indonesia have caused very serious health impacts, particularly for the elderly. Thick smoke containing fine particles PM2.5 and PM10 penetrates deep into the lungs, triggering both acute and chronic respiratory disorders.
West Manggarai optimises medical facilities to serve 9,000 refugees
The West Manggarai Regency Government, East Nusa Tenggara, is optimising the operations of health service posts from the regional hospital to meet the medical needs of more than 9,000 residents displaced by an earthquake.
The Regent of West Manggarai, Edistasius Endi, stated that the continuity of medical services is the top priority in emergency handling amidst the shadows of trauma and limited facilities following the disaster.
Indonesia explores cultural cooperation with Suriname
Indonesia, through the Ministry of Culture, is exploring cultural cooperation with Suriname, which also aims to advance national culture.
“The presence of the Javanese community in Suriname serves as cultural capital that can be developed to strengthen the promotion of Indonesian culture, while simultaneously maintaining the continuity of the historical relationship between the two countries,” said Minister of Culture Fadli Zon in a statement confirmed from Jakarta on Tuesday (1/9).
Government grants permits to 25 specialist doctor study programmes to meet needs in remote areas
The government has issued operational permits for 25 new hospital-based study programmes for the Specialist Doctor Education Programme (PPDS). This is an effort to meet the national requirement of 65,000 specialist doctors and to equalise access to healthcare in remote areas (3T).
The Head of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), Dudung Abdurrahman, in Jakarta on Tuesday (1/9), stated that this acceleration is a direct response to the President’s instruction on 11 August regarding the medical workforce crisis.
Mount Sinabung on alert, Karo Regency evacuates residents of two villages
The Karo Regency Government, North Sumatra, has evacuated residents from two villages—Kuta Tengah Village, Simpang Empat District, and Payung Village, Payung District—following the elevation of Mount Sinabung’s status from Level II (Caution) to Level III (Alert) since Monday (31/8).
This policy was implemented as an anticipatory measure following increased volcanic activity and the expansion of Mount Sinabung’s danger zone, based on recommendations from the Geological Agency.