Breathing Disease Due To Air Pollution Increases 31 Percent, Puts Masks On Children

JAKARTA - The poor level of air pollution in Jakarta and its surroundings has resulted in an increase in the number of respiratory diseases. It was recorded that pneumonia, ARI cases, and asthma cases in hospitals jumped by 31 percent.

This was revealed by the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono after a limited meeting to improve air quality in Jabodetabek led by President Joko Widodo.

From this condition, Heru appealed to parents to wear masks to their children when leaving the house to minimize the respiratory attack.

"It is true that ARI has increased slightly, 24 to 31 percent specifically for toddlers. So, we urge small children to leave the house to wear masks," Heru said at a press conference at the Presidential Palace, Monday, August 28.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin continued, his party will intensify education to the public to take efforts to prevent the concentration of PM 2.5 into the body such as wearing a mask.

"We recommend what standard masks are, because they can be blocked by masks at least KF94 or KN95, minimum, because the danger of PM 2.5 can enter the blood vessels," said Budi.

People who experience respiratory problems are asked to immediately undergo the first treatment to the puskesmas.

Budi said that his party would also immediately coordinate with hospitals and health centers that could be a reference in handling diseases caused by air pollution.

"Tomorrow we will cooperate with friends from Friendship Hospital as coordinators to be able to choose hospitals and health centers in Jabodetabek, if the characteristics are like this, the handles are like this. Thus, it is hoped that if someone enters the puskesmas or hospital treatment is the same, the diagnosis is the same," he added.