In brief
On November 1, 2026, the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Medicine, through its Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute, demanded vigorous fire‑prevention measures and continuous health monitoring to shield children and other at‑risk populations from haze. The call emphasized multidisciplinary, evidence‑based strategies for early risk identification and long‑term protection, highlighting the severe respiratory and developmental dangers posed by fine particulate matter.
On Saturday, the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Indonesia issued a statement urging the Indonesian government and relevant agencies to adopt a more aggressive stance on fire prevention and haze health monitoring. The call comes amid growing concerns that the frequent forest and land fires sweeping the country are exposing especially children and other vulnerable groups to dangerous levels of fine particulate matter, according to a press release received on November 1, 2026.
The university’s Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute (IMERI) noted that the health impacts of haze are not limited to short‑term respiratory irritation but can inflict lasting damage on lung development and overall health, emphasizing the need for a science‑driven, multidisciplinary approach. “Preventing exposure, identifying risks early and providing follow‑up must be grounded in science and cross‑disciplinary cooperation,” stated Prof. Anna Rozaliyani, dean of the Faculty of Medicine.
"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," she said.
IMERY’s director, Dr. Bernie Endyarni Medise, stressed that protecting children from the hazardous effects of forest‑fire smoke requires sustained action far beyond the narrowing window of emergency responses during severe haze episodes. He argued that the focus must shift to preventive infrastructure, community outreach, and continuous health surveillance.
"Protecting children from the health effects of forest‑fire smoke requires sustained action, not just emergency measures when haze becomes severe," he said.
Leading pediatric respiratory specialist Dr. Nastiti Kaswandani of the Indonesian Pediatric Society and the university warned that chronic exposure to particulate matter can lead to long‑term respiratory and developmental problems. She explained how the delicate structure of children’s lungs and their active lifestyles make them uniquely susceptible to fine particle inhalation.
"Children chronically exposed to smoke may face lasting impairment of lung development and higher risks of persistent asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stunted growth and cognitive problems," Dr. Kaswandani warned.
The statement points out that the impact of haze is highly individual. Factors such as existing health conditions, specific exposure scenarios, and environmental variability mean that risk must be assessed on a case‑by‑case basis. As a result, the university recommends targeted interventions that reflect the risk levels of distinct populations, especially those with pre‑existing chronic illnesses, older adults, workers frequently present near fire sites, and the general rural and peri‑urban communities that often face higher concentrations of smoke.
By urging comprehensive health monitoring, the faculty signals a shift from reactive to proactive public health policy. Instead of waiting for haze severity to cross alarming thresholds, authorities are called upon to monitor air quality continuously, especially in areas known to experience recurrent fires, and to provide timely health advisories and treatment protocols to affected populations.
Moreover, the faculty’s appeal highlights the need to integrate environmental science with medical expertise. Foresters, climatologists, epidemiologists, and public health professionals must collaborate to develop risk‑identification models and safeguard strategies. Such cooperation, the institute says, is essential for measuring exposure levels, determining thresholds for action, and constructing long‑term health safeguards that can mitigate the progression from acute respiratory irritation to chronic obstructive conditions and developmental impairment.
The University of Indonesia’s directive resonates with broader concerns about the national haze crisis. It reflects an understanding that the environmental destruction caused by forest and land fires has profound, measurable health implications that extend beyond the immediate economic damages. The call for action also stresses that preventing and mitigating these risks is an issue of equity, as disadvantaged families and schools often lack the resources and information to shield their children from smoke exposure.
The university’s stance is timely. In recent years, the prevalence of dust‑storm events and the intensification of fire activity have strained the country’s health infrastructure, with repeated spikes in emergency department visits for asthma and respiratory distress. By framing the issue as one that requires inter‑institutional cooperation, the Faculty of Medicine sees itself as a catalyst for an integrated policy shift that could reduce the burden of preventable illness and support Indonesia’s democratic promise of public accountability in health governance.
Looking ahead, the university emphasizes that a sustained, evidence‑based framework will require policy support, community engagement, and continued research. Only through unified efforts can the nation ensure that future generations inherit clean air and healthy lungs.
