THERE has been a 30% spike in patients seeking treatment for conjunctivitis due to the smoke choking the country, said Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The health minister gave an assurance that the ministry’s clinics are well-prepared to handle any number of illnesses linked to air pollution.

“There has been an increase of up to 30% in the number of patients seeking treatment for conjunctivitis as a result of the smoke. Clinics under the ministry are ready to deal with this,” he said in Putrajaya today.

As at 9am, Sarawak’s Sri Aman recorded a “hazardous” air pollutant index (API) reading of 367.

The Environment Department’s website showed there were 28 areas in the country with “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” air this morning, all of them in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Malacca, northern Johor and eastern Pahang.

Most of the readings in these areas showed a pattern of worsening air quality, with smoke from forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia continuing to blanket parts of Malaysia, as well as Singapore.

In total, more than 200 schools in Putrajaya, Selangor and Negri Sembilan have been closed.

An API reading of between 0 and 50 is “good”, “moderate” (51-100), “unhealthy” (101-200), “very unhealthy” (201-300) and “hazardous” (300 and above).

The ministry’s ophthalmology services head, Dr Nor Fariza Ngah, said Shah Alam Hospital has reported an increase of 40 patients seeking treatment for sore eyes from last month.

She said most people with eye infections do not head to government clinics straightaway.

“Usually, for eye-related conditions, most people buy medication from pharmacies first. They seek treatment at healthcare facilities only when there has been no improvement.”

She advised those with breathing difficulties seek medical attention immediately. – September 17, 2019.