Health Office Records 41 Thousand Toddlers In Jakarta Affected By ISPA Every Month

Illustration. The multilevel building is disguised by the fog of air pollution in Jakarta, Monday, July 8, 2019. (ANTARA-M Risyal H).

Acting Head of the DKI Health Office Ani Ruspitawati revealed that an average of 41 thousand children under five years old (toddlers) in DKI Jakarta are infected with ISPA disease every month.

The number of cases was recorded over the past few months, when residents began complaining about Jakarta's air pollution. Ani said the increase in ARI cases began last May.

"The ISPA case is between 134,000 and 157,000 per month. The increase in cases occurs in toddlers. In June and July the average case is 41 thousand in toddlers," said Ani at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Tuesday, August 29.

Ani explained that toddlers are the group most susceptible to respiratory diseases amid high air pollution, as well as other infectious diseases.

So, Ani appealed to parents to take better care of their children's health, especially when leaving the house.

"Indeed, we must be ready if the air quality is not good. Whether by reducing unnecessary outside activities or wearing masks, the most important thing is to keep our body's power good. If we are babies, make sure complete immunization, balanced nutrition, is very helpful," explained Ani.

On the other hand, Ani claims that the government has prepared regulations for handling respiratory problems due to air pollution. This, said Ani, began to be prepared since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If we are against ISPA, we have always been ready, yes. Since the first COVID-19 we have had our own poly clinic. So, in every puskesmas there is an ISPA poly. Once you cough a cold, go straight there, friends are ready when it comes to health services," explained Ani.