PRIVATE clinics in areas affected by poor air quality are seeing an increase in patients, especially children, seeking treatment for asthma, cough, sore throat and fever.

Business has surged at these healthcare facilities in the Klang Valley, Penang and Sarawak.

A doctor told The Malaysian Insight the number of patients had grown by half at his two clinics in Penang. One in Klang reported a 40% hike in patient.

Klinik Desa Murni owner Dr Azhar Ahmad said his clinics in Permatang Pauh and Sungai Dua in Penang were seeing cases of eye and throat infections, and asthmatics requiring nebulisers.

“And the number of those wanting to take medical certificates (MCs) has increased by 70%,” said the 51-year-old doctor.

The nebuliser treatment is also in demand in Klang, said a doctor. “In the past week we have had many cases due to the poor air quality but not to the extent of needing to send them to hospitals for further treatment,” he said.

Other clinics visited by The Malaysian Insight also reported an increase in respiratory and eye infections since forest fires broke out in Sumatera and Kalimantan, spreading choking smoke to Malaysia and Singapore.

The chief nurse at a clinic in Setia Alam said the patients were mainly schoolchildren suffering from asthma or dyspnea (shortness of breath).

“Since last month, many of have come for treatment for asthma, fever, cough and dyspnea. The number is increasing as the air pollution worsens,” she said.

She said the clinic saw about one child with asthma daily.

“They come for the nebuliser treatment. The inhaler is not enough to help them cope with the smoky environment,” she said.

Children most vulnerable

A nurse at a clinic in Section 7, Shah Alam said fevers and coughs were the most common cases now.

“Kindergarten children are most vulnerable. Some suffer from conjunctivitis as a result of poor air. They also drink a lot of cold water because the weather is hot and humid.”

A clinic in Klang Utama was also seeing more child patients.

“There would not be this many patients if it wasn’t for the smoky conditions. Children come here because they have fever, cough and asthma caused by the unhealthy air,” said a clinic worker.

In Kuching, doctors said people were aware of the health risks of breathing the unhealthy air and were staying indoors and wearing breathing masks when they ventured outside to avoid getting sick.

The worsening air quality closed more than 1,400 schools nationwide yesterday, affecting more than a million students.

Schools in Penang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur will remain shut for the remainder of the week.

Malaysia Muslim Doctors Association president Dr Ahmad Shukri Ismail said there was no cause to panic.

“The situation is still under control. The most we (have had to do so far is to) give patients a medical certificate for them to stay home,” said Dr Ahmad, who runs a clinic in Kuantan.

“MCs have indeed increased in the past week due to the unhealthy air quality”

He said children under the age of 12 were the most affected.

He said the flimsy face masks many had taken to wearing did not offer adequate protection from the pollution.

He recommended that people use the N95 mask which was thicker.

Another doctor who has a clinic in Klang said the poor air quality has short and long term effects on people.

In the short term, he said, people would suffer from eye and throat irritation while for those exposed for a longer period, this may cause cancer.

“In the long term, the particles which have entered the lungs could lead to bronchitis and asthma, and eventually, cancer.

Its effects are similar to the effects of smoking, he said.

Parents want govt to act

Several parents told The Malaysian Insight they were worried for the children’s health because of the present situation.

They want the government to take more action in fighting the transboundary haze so that it is not a yearly occurrence.

“This is the second time in three years we are experiencing this. I hope the authorities will do something for the sake of our children,” said Adam Saladin.

The 45-year-old welcomed the government’s move to shut down schools due to the unhealthy air quality.

Housewife Linda Hassan said the current situation has prompted her to take extra care of her children.

“We fear sending them to school in this weather. There are also so many outdoor activities and we are afraid it will affect our children,” she said.

She said it was necessary to take extra care not to fall sick and medical treatment cost money. – September 19, 2019.