The key facts

  • In Palangkaraya (Central Kalimantan), a bus with oxygen cylinders and medical staff has been launched: oxygen is supplied for 5–10 minutes, and at least 127 patients have used the service
  • The air pollution index in Borneo and Sumatra exceeded 1,000 points — more than four times above the hazardous threshold of 300
  • From August to October 25, about 350,000 fire-related respiratory illness cases were recorded in the country; thousands of demonstrators are demanding a state of emergency

Oxygen on a bus

In the Indonesian city of Palangkaraya, in the province of Central Kalimantan, a bus equipped with oxygen cylinders and medical staff has been launched: citizens experiencing breathing difficulties due to smoke from forest fires are given oxygen through a special tube for 5–10 minutes. This was reported by The Independent citing the city administration; a report on this was also prepared by Zamon.uz. Medical workers register patients right on the bus. According to the provincial health office, at least 127 patients have used the free service; in addition, an 'oxygen house' has been set up for residents and personnel involved in firefighting.

The scale of pollution and illness

The air pollution index in parts of Borneo and Sumatra reportedly exceeded 1,000 points — more than four times above the threshold of 300 points considered hazardous. This year's fires have been among the strongest in nearly 11 years; the smoke has also worsened air quality in Singapore and Malaysia. According to Indonesia's health ministry, from August to October 25, about 350,000 cases of respiratory illness linked to the fires were recorded in the country, of which roughly 31,000 were in Central Kalimantan. Residents who used the oxygen on the bus reported coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath — however, the Russian-language version of the Zamon.uz article also lists back pain among the symptoms, which differs from the English-language version of the same publication.

Protests and the demand for a state of emergency

Protests are taking place in the country demanding stronger measures to fight the fires. Last week, thousands of demonstrators called for a state of emergency to be declared: in their view, this would allow additional funds to be allocated and cover the population's medical expenses. President Prabowo Subianto, as Zamon.uz notes, has not yet made such a decision.