In the first six months of 2026 alone, Palembang recorded 84,546 cases of acute respiratory infections (ISPA). As forest and land fire risks continue to threaten air quality, the question is no longer only how to detect haze, but how to protect people from its health impacts.
On 30 July 2026, Pusat Riset Perubahan Iklim Universitas Indonesia (RCCC UI) brought together key stakeholders in Palembang for a Policy Dialogue at Aston Hotel, connecting public health, disaster management, environmental monitoring, health financing, and schools to discuss the health impacts of forest and land fires and the city’s preparedness to respond.
The discussion took place as Sumatera Selatan had been placed under an emergency alert status for haze disasters caused by forest and land fires. In Palembang, the number of ISPA cases recorded from January to June 2026 had already reached 84,546 cases, approaching half of the 175,194 cases recorded throughout 2025. The highest numbers were reported in Kalidoni, Ilir Barat Satu, Sukarami, Ilir Timur Tiga, and Jakabaring, highlighting the importance of understanding where health risks are concentrated and how local responses can be strengthened.
Bringing together Dinas Kesehatan Kota Palembang, BPBD Palembang, Dinas Lingkungan Hidup Kota Palembang, BPJS Kesehatan, BMKG, and representatives from SD Muhammadiyah 01, 06, 14, and 18, RCCC UI used the dialogue to connect evidence from different sectors with the realities faced by communities and schools. The discussion was also informed by perspectives from Kepala Dinas Kesehatan Kota Palembang, Kepala Pelaksana Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah Kota Palembang, Kepala Bidang Pengendalian Pencemaran dan Kerusakan Lingkungan Hidup Dinas Lingkungan Hidup Kota Palembang, and Ketua Tim Pencegahan dan Pengendalian Penyakit (P2P) Dinas Kesehatan Kota Palembang.
A key focus of the dialogue was how Palembang can strengthen its response as risks evolve. Participants discussed existing measures, including the activation of integrated health posts with BPBD, distribution of N95 and medical masks for vulnerable groups such as young children, older adults, pregnant women, and field personnel, free health examinations and rapid referral for severe ISPA cases, as well as increased patrols in fire-prone areas and public education through social media and schools.
For RCCC UI, the dialogue provided an important opportunity to connect research with local realities. By bringing together the institutions that monitor environmental conditions, manage disasters, provide health services, finance healthcare, and work directly with schools, RCCC UI is strengthening the foundation for a more integrated approach to understanding and responding to haze-related health risks.
The conversation in Palembang is part of RCCC UI’s broader effort to generate evidence that can inform practical health protection for children in haze-prone areas. The insights gathered from local stakeholders will contribute to the development of policy recommendations and a school-based Early Warning System that can connect environmental risks with health protection measures.
In Palembang, RCCC UI is bringing the pieces together: from air quality and fire risk, to health data, local preparedness, and action where it matters most.
