Indonesian government opens hundreds of centers to treat residents affected by Borneo forest fires

The Indonesian Ministry of Health established approximately 500 service centers across Borneo to treat residents suffering from respiratory infections caused by haze and forest fires.

The fires have burned about 1.9 million hectares of land, releasing toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, nitric acid, and ammonia into the atmosphere. Over 300,000 people on the Indonesian side of Borneo have developed respiratory issues since August.

The situation is most severe in the Central Kalimantan region, where the government opened 300 of these centers to provide oxygen and medical care. The pollution also threatens local wildlife and has spread across borders. Animal welfare organizations are working to rescue animals, including endangered orangutans, from the flames. In Malaysia, the haze forced schools to close temporarily as the air quality impacted daily life.