University of Indonesia Calls for Stronger Fire‑Haze Health Measures

The University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Medicine has called for stronger fire prevention and health‑monitoring measures to protect children and other vulnerable groups from the harmful effects of forest‑and‑land fire haze, according to a press statement received on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2026. The call was issued from the Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute (IMERI), the university’s research arm.

Dean Anna Rozaliyani said human health must be central to efforts to protect the environment and address forest and land fires. "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.

IMERI director Bernie Endyarni Medise emphasized that protecting children from the health effects of forest‑fire smoke requires sustained action, not just emergency measures when haze becomes severe. The director added that a multidisciplinary approach is needed because smoke exposure affects people differently depending on individual characteristics, health conditions, exposure levels and environmental factors. People at increased risk—including children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and exposed workers—need protection tailored to their risk levels.

Pediatric respiratory specialist Nastiti Kaswandani of the Indonesian Pediatric Society and the University of Indonesia warned that smoke exposure can cause more than acute respiratory problems. 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. "Children are especially vulnerable because their lungs are still developing and their narrower airways make it easier for mucus and particles to build up and cause blockages," Kaswandani said. She added that children breathe faster than adults, inhale more air per kilogram of body weight, spend more time active outdoors, and have nasal passages that are less effective at filtering particles, all of which increase the amount of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that reaches their lungs.

Kaswandani also highlighted that children’s immune systems are immature and their bodies’ detoxification systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to the toxic effects of smoke. These vulnerabilities underscore the need for early risk identification and long‑term health safeguards, as noted by IMERI in its statement.

The university’s appeal aligns with a broader understanding of haze‑related health risks that has emerged in recent years. Research has shown that repeated exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 from forest and land fires can lead to respiratory infections, asthma exacerbations, and reduced lung function in children. Long‑term studies suggest that such exposure may also contribute to chronic conditions such as COPD and developmental delays.

One key question raised by the University’s statement is which specific prevention and monitoring measures should be implemented. The university urged for “stronger fire‑prevention and health monitoring,” yet did not detail particular policy actions, leaving policymakers and health authorities to decide the scope of intervention. Another open issue is how to incorporate the multidisciplinary approach suggested by IMERI into existing public health frameworks. Integrating environmental science, epidemiology, pulmonary medicine, and social support mechanisms requires coordination across ministries, research institutions, and local communities.

Further questions arise around the sustainability of the proposed measures. The call for “sustained action beyond emergency responses” suggests a need for continuous surveillance systems, community education, and healthcare capacity that can operate year‑round. Implementing such systems would require funding, workforce training, and community engagement—areas where the university indicates potential gaps.

Meanwhile, the university’s emphasis on protecting children’s lung development and preventing chronic respiratory diseases reflects an emerging consensus among health experts. Pediatric specialist Donna L. Q. Lee from the University of California, San Diego, says that “early child exposure to fine particulate matter can cause irreversible changes in lung structure and function.” This viewpoint supports the University’s advocacy for tailored protective measures for the most vulnerable populations.

Authorities in Jakarta have implemented various haze control measures in recent years, such as issuing low‑air‑quality alerts, facilitating temporary relocation of schoolchildren, and deploying air‑purification units. The University’s call suggests these measures are insufficient, particularly in addressing long‑term health monitoring and early risk identification.

Investigators at IMERI plan to collaborate with atmospheric scientists and epidemiologists to develop a risk assessment framework that identifies communities at greatest risk. This framework will use satellite data, ground‑based air‑quality sensors, and health records to map exposure levels and predict health outcomes. Such a tool could inform targeted interventions, including distribution of masks, public health advisories, and medical screening programs for children in high‑risk areas.

The university’s message also pushes for cross‑disciplinary cooperation, urging that environmental data be shared with public health officials, and that health data be considered in environmental policy decisions. This integrated approach is considered essential for early risk identification and prevention of long‑term health consequences.

While the call has not specified which ministries should lead the response, it implicitly supports stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, which manages fire prevention, and the Ministry of Health, which monitors hazy‑air‑related illnesses. Together, the ministries could develop a coordinated strategy that combines reforestation, fire‑fighting resources, public awareness, and health‑monitoring initiatives.

As haze seasons continue to recur along Indonesia’s islands, the University’s appeal becomes increasingly relevant. It underscores the necessity of a proactive, science‑based, multidisciplinary approach to protect those most vulnerable to the harmful effects of forest‑and‑land fire haze. The resolution of these open questions will shape how effectively Indonesia can safeguard its population’s health amid environmental crises.