Health Ministry Rushes Masks and Oxygen to 5.4 Million Fire Victims

JAKARTA — Indonesia’s Health Ministry is ramping up emergency aid for 5.4 million people affected by widespread forest and land fires. The ministry is sending extra supplies of face masks and oxygen concentrators to the hardest-hit areas. An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that filters nitrogen from the air to deliver pure oxygen to patients who have trouble breathing. The equipment is critical for treating people suffering from severe smoke inhalation. The move comes as thick haze from the fires continues to blanket several regions, worsening air quality and straining local health services. Many victims, including schoolchildren, have already begun wearing masks to protect themselves from the toxic smoke. Health officials said the additional logistical support aims to prevent a spike in respiratory illnesses and reduce pressure on overwhelmed clinics. The ministry is coordinating with regional authorities to ensure the supplies reach remote communities quickly. The fires, known locally as karhutla, have forced thousands to flee their homes and disrupted daily life across the affected provinces. Health teams remain on standby as the crisis continues.