More People Sick Due To Haze, Says Dr Abdul Latiff

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- The number of people seeking medical treatment especially for asthma, respiratory infection and conjunctivitis in the Klang Valley, Seremban and Nilai has increased significantly.
Disclosing this Tuesday, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad blamed the situation on the declining air quality brought by the haze that shrouded the country since early this month.
The increase of asthma cases in Seremban and Nilai was up to 150 percent, respiratory infection 57 percent and conjunctivitis 66.6 percent while the number of patients in the Klang Valley had risen as high as 10.7 percent.
The ministry would constantly monitor changes in the number of haze-related health cases nationwide, he told reporters after opening Traditional and Complementary Medical Practitioner Training Institute's convocation, here.
"My advice to the public is reduce outdoor activities and drink a lot of water. Those doing outdoor job are encouraged to wear masks and seek immediate treatment if they catch the flu or cough," he said.
Earlier in his speech, Dr Abdul Latiff said the ministry was drafting a new legislation under which a Traditional and Complementary Medical Council would be set up with a view to ensuring only quality traditional and complementary products and services were offered to the public.