The institution found the total increase when they conducted an integrated data collection and evaluation program (surveillance) of the illness type caused land fire`s haze.
"The data from officers and local Health Serve in Pekanbaru noted the respiratory disease has increased to 20 percents," said Chief of Pekanbaru KKP Budi Hidayat in an interview to Antara, here, Sunday.
Hidayat said the surveillance program found that several people also experienced other illnesses caused by haze in Riau, but most passengers in several ports suffered from respiratory disease.
"Besides surveillance program, the Riau Governor also conducts four efforts to mitigate the land fire disaster in Riau," said Hidayat.
The Governor also issued task letter to Haze and Land Fire Mitigation Team, particularly to the Pekanbaru KKP officers.
The Pekanbaru KKP monitors passenger`s health condition in several areas such sea port in Selatpanjang, Belabuhan Siak, Sungai Duku and Buton as well as Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport.
"The health monitoring officers also distribute masks to passengers, mainly for them who visit Pekanbaru," Hidayat said.
In order to enhance land fire mitigation efforts, KKP officers also coordinate with Haze Mitigation Task Force of Riau Province that is located in Roesmin Noerjadin Airbase, Pekanbaru city.
"We have distributed 6,000 masks to the passengers in each monitoring area. We will conduct surveillance program until the haze disaster in Riau ends," he said.
Hidayat added the main mission for KKP on the land disaster mitigation effort is to take care of the health and safety of passengers mainly those who come from abroad and other local areas.
The police of Riau Province also conducted efforts to mitigate the haze in the area such as by promoting to the people for not burning land to open new plantation areas.
Previously, the Riau haze management task force has arrested 14 people suspected of involvement in land fires in five different locations in the province.
(B019/A014)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
