JAKARTA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has deployed nearly 1,900 health workers and distributed medical supplies to seven provinces affected by forest and land fires, where more than 151,000 cases of acute respiratory infections have been recorded, the Health Ministry said Monday.
Ministry spokesperson Widyawati said 1,898 health workers had been deployed to the seven affected provinces to improve access to medical care for more than 13 million people and support local medical personnel.
Authorities have placed 1,691 community health centers, 360 referral hospitals and 87 public health laboratories on standby to provide medical treatment and conduct air quality testing, Widyawati said.
The ministry urged residents to limit outdoor activities and wear masks, particularly infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with asthma and heart disease, who are considered particularly vulnerable during the forest fire emergency. ■
