Jakarta (The Indonesian News) – The government is maintaining its intense focus on combating the forest and land fires raging across Kalimantan and Sumatra. Beyond direct firefighting efforts, health measures for affected communities are being carried out in tandem.
As of October 12, 2026, the government, through the Ministry of Health, has mobilized 2,106 health workers to seven provinces affected by the wildfires. The breakdown is as follows: 40 personnel to South Kalimantan, 487 to Central Kalimantan, 121 to West Kalimantan, and 5 to East Kalimantan.
A further 862 personnel have been deployed to Jambi, 209 to Riau, and 382 to South Sumatra. The health workers dispatched include doctors, nurses, midwives, and epidemiologists.
In addition, the Ministry of Health has sent medical equipment and supplies to the seven affected provinces. “These comprise 2,450,040 masks, 47 oxygen concentrator units, 1,000 pairs of surgical gloves, 36 oxygen canisters, 100 face shields, 8 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE), and 350 boxes of supplementary food provisions,” the Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday (13/10).
The government has also specifically distributed medical supplies to health crisis centers in South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Riau, Jambi, East Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan. As of October 12, 2026, 397,000 masks, 233 oxygen concentrator units, 40,000 pairs of surgical gloves, 4,900 pieces of PPE, and 3 air purifier units have been delivered.
Health agencies across all seven provinces have also placed health teams and medical equipment on standby at command posts. Masks are being distributed to community health centers nationwide for onward distribution to affected residents.
The Ministry of Health continues to hold coordination meetings with provincial health agencies and the Health Quarantine Centers (BKK) in the Kalimantan region.
“Monitoring and evaluation of data recording and reporting on wildfire-related illnesses. Field monitoring at wildfire-affected locations, including mask distribution, checking the availability of medicines and oxygen at healthcare facilities,” the Ministry stated.
The Ministry of Health is currently preparing health service posts at 1,691 community health centers and 87 health laboratories for air quality testing. Residents can reach the Public Safety Center by dialing 119.
Source: Press Release, Indonesian Government Communication Agency (Bakom)
