By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 10: Sarawakians with respiratory conditions should take extra precautions as haze affects the State, particularly those with asthma, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He said people with existing respiratory problems should not wait for haze levels to worsen before reducing their exposure to outdoor conditions.
“Haze basically affects those with respiratory disease first. If you have asthma and all those things, you don’t wait until that level before stopping your outdoor activities,” he told reporters during a doorstop interview after the groundbreaking ceremony for Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching at the Northbank project site here today.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, further said Sarawakians should stay hydrated during haze episodes and be aware of the different air quality levels.
“During the haze time, we should drink enough water, stay hydrated, and so on,” he said.
He said Sarawak had considerable experience dealing with haze and that the appropriate response would depend on the severity of the air quality.
“You know the haze, they have different categories: 200, 300, 400. So it is important for everyone to know what is healthy, what is unhealthy,” he said.
Dr Sim said any decision on restrictions to outdoor activities would depend on the relevant thresholds and advisories issued by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
He stressed that haze management required coordination among multiple agencies, as its effects could involve sectors including health and education.
“It cannot be just one agency. Health, education, and so on need to come together,” he said.
Dr Sim said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had asked Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to look at the haze situation from the SDMC perspective.
He clarified that individual agencies would only be involved depending on which ones Uggah calls upon through SDMC.
“If Datuk Amar Douglas calls us, we are coming,” he said.
Asked whether the haze had so far resulted in an increase in hospital cases, Dr Sim said Sarawak had dealt with haze many times before and did not indicate any significant surge in cases.
“This is not the first time, you know. We are very experienced in haze,” he said. — DayakDaily
