Jakarta, IO – Ministry of Health noted an increase in cases of acute respiratory infections (ISPA) due to deteriorating air quality in Greater Jakarta recently.
The ministry’s director general of disease prevention and control (P2P) Maxi Rein Rondonuwu revealed that ISPA cases averaged 200,000 per month, per CNNIndonesia, Monday (28/8).
“As we know, the Greater Jakarta area is experiencing an increase in air pollution problems. As a result, our disease surveillance data shows an increase in ISPA cases based on reports from community health centers and hospitals,” said Maxi.
Chairman of the Committee on Respirology and the Impact of Air Pollution on Health Agus Dwi Susanto said the increase in ISPA cases in Greater Jakarta occurred from January to July 2023.
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“It can be seen that from the January to July period there was a spike in ISPA cases compared to the same period last year. This year, when the pollution was high, the cases also increased,” said Agus.
Furthermore, Agus said air pollution is among the top 10 risk factors that cause death in Indonesia. Meanwhile, respiratory disease ranks among the top 15 diseases with the highest number of sufferers in Indonesia. (un)