In brief
The University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Medicine has demanded stronger fire prevention and health‑monitoring programs to protect children and other at‑risk groups from the harmful effects of forest‑and‑land fire haze. Experts warn that chronic exposure can impair lung development, increase asthma and COPD risk, and affect growth and cognition. A science‑based, multidisciplinary approach is essential for early risk identification, prevention, and long‑term health safeguards.
The University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Medicine has issued a plea for intensified fire‑prevention and health‑monitoring measures after a surge of haze from forest and land fires raises serious threats to human health, especially for children. The call comes in the wake of Indonesia’s recurring haze crisis, which subjects millions of residents to fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs and compromise respiratory function.
In a press statement received Saturday, the faculty’s dean, Anna Rozaliyani, emphasized that human health must be central to efforts protecting the environment and combating forest and land fires. According to the statement, “Forest and land fires are not just about smoke. They threaten health, safety and future generations. Preventing exposure, identifying risks early and providing follow‑up must be grounded in science and cross‑disciplinary cooperation.”
Further underscoring the urgency, IMERI director Bernie Endyarni Medise noted that safeguarding children from the health effects of forest‑fire smoke requires sustained action beyond emergency measures when haze becomes severe. He explained that smoke exposure can affect individuals differently depending on personal characteristics, health conditions, exposure levels and environmental factors.
Expert consensus points to several high‑risk groups, including children, older adults, individuals with chronic illnesses and workers who are frequently exposed to smoke. Pediatric respiratory specialist Nastiti Kaswandani of the Indonesian Pediatric Society and the University of Indonesia warned that smoke exposure can cause more than acute respiratory problems. She said, “Children chronically exposed to smoke may face lasting impairment of lung development and higher risks of persistent asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stunted growth and cognitive problems.”
Kaswandani elaborated on why children are especially vulnerable: “Children’s lungs are still developing and their narrower airways make it easier for mucus and particles to build up and cause blockages. They also breathe faster than adults, inhaling more air per kilogram of body weight, and spend more time active outdoors. Their nasal passages are less effective at filtering particles, increasing the amount that reaches their lungs. Their immune systems are immature and their detoxification systems are still developing.”
The faculty’s call stresses that a multidisciplinary approach is essential because the health impact of smoke exposure is intertwined with environmental science, epidemiology, pediatrics, public health policy, and community engagement. A science‑based, cross‑disciplinary protocol would enable early identification of at‑risk populations, targeted prevention strategies, and long‑term monitoring of health outcomes.
Concrete recommendations outlined by the university include developing robust health‑monitoring systems that track exposure levels through real‑time air quality data, integrating pediatric assessments into public health surveillance, and expanding emergency response protocols to include vulnerable groups before haze peaks occur. The proposal also calls for coordinated fire‑prevention planning that reduces the likelihood of large‑scale land uses contributing to smoke production.
Antara reports that the Faculty of Medicine’s message resonates with ongoing international efforts to link environmental regulations with public health safeguards. By embedding health considerations into fire‑management strategies, Indonesia could better protect its most susceptible citizens while also advancing climate resilience.
In the broader context of Indonesia’s environmental challenges, the university’s advocacy highlights a critical shift from reactive to proactive measures. Protecting children’s lung development and preventing chronic respiratory disease requires sustained action that extends well beyond the immediate haze events. The call articulates a vision of science‑driven policy that places community health at the forefront of forest‑fire mitigation.
