In brief
In Jakarta, the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Medicine addressed the growing health threats posed by forest and land fire haze, calling for science‑based, multidisciplinary action and sustained protection for children. Dean Anna Rozaliyani and IMERI director Bernie Endyarni Medise stressed the need for early risk identification and long‑term monitoring beyond emergency responses, while pediatric experts warned of lasting respiratory and developmental consequences. The university’s plea signals a push for stronger policies to safeguard public health against recurring haze episodes.
The University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Medicine issued a call in Jakarta on 1 November 2026 for intensified fire prevention and health‑monitoring initiatives to shield children and other vulnerable groups from the hazardous effects of forest and land fire haze.
In a press statement, the faculty’s dean, Anna Rozaliyani, explained that human health should be central to environmental protection efforts and urged a science‑based, cross‑disciplinary approach.
“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 noted that safeguarding children’s lung development and preventing chronic respiratory disease requires sustained action beyond emergency responses.
Supporting the dean’s remarks, IMERI director Bernie Endyarni Medise highlighted that protecting children from the health impacts of forest‑fire smoke demands continuous measures rather than only reacting when haze becomes severe.
“Protecting children from the health effects of forest‑fire smoke requires sustained action, not just emergency measures when haze becomes severe.”Medise stressed the importance of a multidisciplinary framework, as smoke exposure can influence individuals differently depending on health conditions, exposure levels and environmental factors.
Expert pediatric respiratory specialist Nastiti Kaswandani of the Indonesian Pediatric Society and the university warned that smoke exposure can cause more than acute respiratory problems. She described how chronic exposure to haze may impair lung development, heighten the risk of persistent asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stifle growth and disrupt cognitive functioning. Children are notably at risk because their lungs are still forming, their narrower airways allow more mucus and particles to accumulate, and their slower breathing rate can increase particle penetration. They also spend more time outdoors, have less effective nasal filtering and possess immature immune and detoxification systems, increasing their overall susceptibility.
Both the dean and IMERI director emphasized that risk identification must be tailored to the vulnerability of specific populations, including children, older adults, individuals with chronic illnesses and workers exposed to smoke. They called for early monitoring of risk levels, continuous health check‑ups, and comprehensive strategies that integrate public health, environmental science and community outreach.
The university’s appeal aligns with broader regional discussions about haze control and public health protection, as recurrent fire‑haze events have increasingly threatened the well‑being of Indonesian communities. By advocating for a coordinated, data‑driven approach, the Faculty of Medicine seeks to strengthen long‑term safeguards and reduce the burden of smoke‑related illnesses, especially among those most at risk.
