In response to the severe environmental crisis gripping Indonesia, special 'Oxygen Buses' have been deployed in Palangka Raya city on Borneo island to help residents suffering from toxic wildfire smoke. Marking one of the worst wildfire seasons in over a decade, the blazes have severely impacted air quality and public health across the region, turning skies orange in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore as well.
The fires, primarily concentrated in the Sumatra and Borneo islands, have raged for weeks without any immediate signs of containment. The thick, hazardous haze generated by the infernos has severely compromised visibility and breathable air, sending a wave of panic and health distress through local communities. Medical authorities have reported an alarming surge in respiratory illnesses, with approximately 350,000 people falling ill across the country between August and October 25, including around 31,000 cases in Central Kalimantan alone.
To mitigate the crisis on the ground, authorities have converted buses into mobile medical units equipped with oxygen cylinders and healthcare personnel. Parked along major streets in Palangka Raya, these blue-and-white buses allow affected citizens to step inside and receive crucial oxygen therapy for 5 to 10 minutes to alleviate coughing and severe breathing difficulties caused by the smoke inhalation.
Healthcare workers onboard report a daily influx of patients struggling to catch their breath due to the dense smog hanging over the city. While the mobile oxygen units offer a vital temporary relief mechanism, residents and experts acknowledge that the ongoing disaster highlights broader ecological challenges that require sustained long-term intervention. As environmental conditions remain critical, authorities continue to monitor air quality closely and provide emergency medical support to vulnerable populations.
