TEMPO.CO, Palembang-South Sumatra lung hospital recorded a fifty-percent increase in the number of patients with lung disease compared to the previous condition, hospital officials said Wednesday, October 7.
From 293 cases in July 2015, the number now increased to 587 cases of lung health problems in August 2015, predominantly pediatric patients and people with lung diseases such as asthma, saysSouth Sumatra Lung Hospital internal medicine specialist Rita Sriwulandari.
The increase in lung patients is related to the haze that hit the region in recent months, especially South Sumatra city of Palembang.
She said the poor air quality in South Sumatra has impacted public health, especially respiratory infection (ISPA).
"ISPA is not suffered only by the elderly, but also children. Those who have chronic lung disease such as asthma, including chronic bronchitis will get worse with smoke inhalation into the lungs," Rita said.
She explained that the haze will also indirectly other organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys, thus lowering the human immune system, particularly children under five years of age.
ANTARA