Minister: DOE, hospitals must talk on tech for API readings
The Department of Environment (DOE) and hospitals must discuss the technology for determining the Air Pollutant Index (API) in the country, said Deputy Health Minister Dr Hilmi Yahya.
He said the current readings used in Malaysia were low and made the public complacent about the haze.
"Our reading is low, when it is low, we are relaxed... so when the API reading is high (as in Singapore), ours is still low, and because of that we do not take early health preventive measures.
"So I hope the ministry and the hospitals discuss so that we have the same readings as the neighbouring countries," he told reporters after launching the World Heart Day 2015 at the Penang Hospital in George Town today.
The API reading parameter currently used in Malaysia is based on fine particles sized less than 10 micrometres (PM10) compared to a reading of 2.5.
The API calculation based on PM2.5 will give a higher reading compared to that based on PM10.
It was reported that Malaysia will implement the API system like Singapore which uses a pollutant measurement of 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) at the latest by 2017.
Dr Hilmi said during the haze, many people would suffer asthma attacks and respiratory-related cases seen in clinics and hospitals also increased by 50 percent.
"I think the time has come for the Ministry (of Natural Resources) and Environment to look at the technology to measure the API," he said.
Earlier, Dr Hilmi said the Health Ministry will set up five more invasive cardiovascular laboratories to cater to the increasing number of heart cases.
He said the hospitals which have been given additional laboratories costing RM10 million each were the Penang Hospital, the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru, the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan and one each in Sarawak and Kedah.
He also urged the public to look after their hearts by adopting healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity.
"There must be more exercise and you must look after your food intake, do not eat too much fat, not too sweet...men should not consume more than 2,000 calories a day and women 1,800.. do not overeat, if you do, you must exercise more," he said.
- Bernama
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