InfoSAWIT, PEKANBARU – Hospitals across Riau are stepping up preparedness as deteriorating air quality caused by haze raises concerns over a potential increase in respiratory illnesses linked to forest and land fires.
The Indonesian Hospital Association (PERSI) Riau chapter has called on both public and private hospitals to remain on standby around the clock to respond to a possible surge in patients affected by smoke exposure.
PERSI Riau Chairman Dr. Surya Hajar said hospitals across the province were preparing for the potential health impacts of worsening haze conditions.
“We are committed to ensuring hospitals across Riau are prepared for the impact of the haze. We are ensuring that all public and private hospitals remain on 24-hour standby,” Surya said at the Riau Governor's Office on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
According to Surya, the preparedness measures are intended to enable medical facilities to respond quickly if air quality deteriorates further and patient numbers increase.
Prolonged exposure to haze can trigger a range of health problems, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, elderly people, pregnant women and those with existing respiratory conditions.
PERSI Riau expects cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI), asthma, as well as eye and skin irritation could rise if exposure to haze continues.
The organization said the 24-hour readiness program is aimed at ensuring residents affected by the haze can receive medical treatment whenever needed.
Hospital preparedness, Surya added, extends beyond medical personnel. Hospitals also need to ensure adequate supporting facilities, including treatment rooms, oxygen supplies, medicines and other essential resources.
PERSI Riau is also emphasizing stronger cross-sector coordination to deal with the health impacts of the haze. Hospitals need clear treatment procedures and referral systems so patients can quickly receive care according to the severity of their conditions.
To strengthen the response, PERSI Riau said it was ready to work closely with the Riau Provincial Health Office, particularly on referral arrangements and emergency treatment for patients affected by the haze from forest and land fires.
“We are working to ensure that treatment rooms, oxygen, medicines and other facilities are available for affected residents. We are ready to collaborate with the Riau Provincial Health Office on referral procedures and emergency treatment related to the impact of the haze disaster,” Surya said. (T2)
Source: InfoSAWIT
