Health Ministry boosts medical supplies and monitors haze-related illnesses nationwide amid worsening air quality and rising API readings
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry (MOH) has increased stocks of medical equipment at healthcare facilities nationwide to prepare for a potential rise in haze-related illnesses, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the additional supplies comprised 841 adult aerochambers, 396 paediatric aerochambers and 576 nebulisers to cater for a possible surge in respiratory cases.
He said the ministry had also activated the National Haze Operations Room on Sept 4 and was closely monitoring three main health conditions, namely upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), asthma and conjunctivitis, through 78 sentinel healthcare facilities.
“Through the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC), the ministry is stepping up public health measures in response to rising Air Pollutant Index (API) readings and deteriorating air quality caused by open burning,” he said when replying to a question from Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah).
Cha had wanted to know the ministry’s initiatives to mitigate the impact of haze on public health and inter-agency cooperation in monitoring air quality and protecting vulnerable groups.