Ombudsman Suggests West Sumatra Provincial Government Budget Funds To Suppress The Impact Of Forest And Land Smoke Fog

Sightings of smoke enveloping Muaro, Padang City on Sunday (22/10). (Between/Fandi Yogari).

The Ombudsman asked the local government (Pemda) to be proactive in anticipating the impact of the smog that is still happening in West Sumatra Province (West Sumatra).

"The local government must improve health promotion services to the public due to the effects of smog fog, especially for residents who are active outside the home," said Head of the West Sumatra Ombudsman Yefri Heriani in Padang, West Sumatra, Wednesday, November 1, confiscated by Antara.

In dealing with the impact of the smog that occurs, he continued, the local government must issue an appeal accompanied by certain policies.

"The appeal must be accompanied by certain policies, even if it needs to be budgeted specifically to deal with the impact of the smog," he said.

He said the budget could be used to procure masks, air cleaning equipment, health services and others.

His party also assessed that the puskesmas had an important role in efforts to overcome the impact of the smog.

"Puskesmas as the leading health facility must play its role in providing socialization, handling, and service to the community," he said.

He said the Puskesmas can provide free health services and go directly to the community without having to wait for residents to arrive, while still prioritizing residents who are included in vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

"For residents who have already experienced a disease such as respiratory problems, they must also be given good health services," he said.

He said the government must coordinate with the relevant agencies and existing health centers to ensure that the public gets security guarantees, because security guarantees are components of public service standards.

"The various efforts made to ensure that the impact of the smog does not interfere or the public's health condition is not severe due to the impact of the smog," he said.

On the other hand, the West Sumatra Ombudsman also reminded the public to pay attention to their respective health and follow the advice that has been issued by the government regarding smog.