Menkes rejects oxygen-tank photo in Palangka Raya as breathless
The visit also highlighted a threefold surge in patients and readiness of Rumah Oksigen and oxygen buses as wildfire smoke worsened.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin rejected social media claims that he was short of breath when seen wearing an oxygen tank in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan. Budi said the photo was taken while he was explaining the Rumah Oksigen facility, while still wearing a KN95 mask during the visit. He came to inspect the readiness of Rumah Oksigen run by Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center and the Bus Oksigen Keliling owned by the Central Kalimantan provincial government for residents affected by wildfire smoke. During the visit, Budi also noted that hospital admissions in Central Kalimantan had risen as much as threefold because air quality had worsened. The Health Ministry is preparing faster distribution of medical equipment, including ventilators, and urged residents with shortness of breath to go immediately to an oxygen facility or hospital.