Deputy Minister Of Health: Air Pollution Is A Priority For Government Handling

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Deputy Minister of Health (Wamenkes) Dante Saksono Harbuwono emphasized that air pollution and respiratory problems in DKI Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) are the government's priority to be resolved.

"The issue of increasing air pollution and respiratory problems has become a priority for the government to resolve," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, September 13.

The Deputy Minister of Health said that this seriousness was marked by the establishment of the Jabodetabek Regional Air Control and Pollution Task Force formed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).

In the task force, he said, there is also the authority of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) to prepare adaptive steps in tackling the impact of air pollution.

"This includes increasing information communication and health education to the public. The goal is not to have a bad impact due to air pollution," he said.

The increase in information communication and health education, said the Deputy Minister of Health, was realized in the 6M&1S movement campaign, which consists of checking air quality through applications or websites, secondly reducing outdoor activity and closing ventilation for homes, offices, schools, and public places during high air pollution, and thirdly using indoor air clarity.

Then, the fourth avoids sources of pollution and cigarette smoke, the fifth uses masks when air pollution is high, the sixth carries out clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS), and immediately consults online or offline with health workers if respiratory complaints appear.

In addition, he continued, the Ministry of Health is also trying to carry out routine surveillance, related to the effects of diseases caused by air pollution, so that it can be used as an indicator of health risk control.

"We are also trying to improve health facilities services, both by improving the quality of human resources (HR), as well as managing disease management due to air pollution, as an act to prevent the expansion of the impact of air pollution," said Dante.

Through this, the Deputy Minister of Health hopes that the efforts made together can continue to strengthen the health of the Indonesian people.