Prabowo - Gibran Government's 100 Day Program Highlights Air Pollution Control In Jabodetabek

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - National Health Day, which is celebrated every November 12, is a momentum for the public and the Indonesian government to increase concern for health, including in controlling air pollution which is the main risk factor for various diseases, especially respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and several types of cancer.

Responding to this, the Chairperson of the Air Respiratory and Pollution Disease Management Committee (PPPPU) of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), Prof. Agus Dwi Susanto, fully supports the policies of the new government through the Ministry of Environment to deal with air pollution in Jabodetabek.

Previously, in a working meeting with Commission XII of the DPR RI, the Minister of Environment/Head of the Environmental Control Agency (BPLH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq explained the draft work program for 100 days and the 2025 strategic program, one of the priorities is the handling of air pollution in Jabodetabek.

"We strongly support the 100 working days policy that puts forward the issue of handling air pollution. Because air pollution is currently one of the issues that must be considered, that air pollution causes various impact problems on health and if we can control air quality properly, of course these diseases can be reduced," said Prof. Agus when contacted by reporters, Wednesday, November 13.

Prof. Agus revealed that this support is in line with the commitment of the PPPPU Committee, which is currently carrying out team restructuring to optimize committee work in four fields, namely: air quality supervision, clinical management, public education, and research.

Later, continued Dr Agus, the Committee will also focus on controlling air pollution, which is not only outdoors, but indoors.

"For example, fuel used at home, then various activities in the house that increase pollution in the house, including electronic devices that are not treated properly, so pollution is found indoors," he added.

Meanwhile, Ratna Kartadjoemena, Air Spokes Co-Founder, who is also a Member of the Education, Promotion and Advocacy Division of the PPPPU Committee, also welcomes the government's 100-day program policy which prioritizes air pollution control as an important step to reduce the risk of several diseases. According to him, cross-sectoral support is needed to strengthen the impact of this policy.

"Maintaining air quality requires cross-sectoral synergy. We hope that today's 100-day program will be the beginning to create a long-term roadmap that will guarantee clean air for all levels of Indonesian society," he said.

Furthermore, Ratna also stated that the commitment of Air Spoke to continue to advocate and provide education about the importance of clean air quality for public health. According to him, increasing public awareness of the dangers of air pollution is a crucial step in suppressing the health impacts caused.

"Clean waters are not only about the environment, but also about the health and quality of all of our lives. The commemoration of National Health Day should serve as a reminder for us that air pollution control is an important preventive step for the health of future generations," he concluded.