KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — The Health Ministry (MOH) has increased stocks of medical equipment at healthcare facilities nationwide to prepare for a potential rise in haze-related illnesses, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the additional supplies comprised 841 adult aerochambers, 396 paediatric aerochambers and 576 nebulisers to cater for a possible surge in respiratory cases.

He said the ministry had also activated the National Haze Operations Room on Sept 4 and was closely monitoring three main health conditions, namely upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), asthma and conjunctivitis, through 78 sentinel healthcare facilities.

“Through the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC), the ministry is stepping up public health measures in response to rising Air Pollutant Index (API) readings and deteriorating air quality caused by open burning,” he said when replying to a question from Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah).

Cha had wanted to know the ministry’s initiatives to mitigate the impact of haze on public health and inter-agency cooperation in monitoring air quality and protecting vulnerable groups.

Dzulkefly said monitoring at 78 sentinel healthcare facilities nationwide showed that URTI cases surged by 167.21 per cent to 7,065 in epidemiological week 36, compared with 2,644 cases the previous week, due to deteriorating air quality.

On cooperation with other agencies, he said the Health Ministry had been providing technical advice to the Education Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry on suspending outdoor activities when the API exceeds 100, as well as recommending school closures when the reading exceeds 200.

He said the ministry also worked closely with the Department of Environment, the Malaysian Meteorological Department and the National Disaster Management Agency to ensure early warnings and preventive measures were communicated effectively to the public. — Bernama