A baby in Indonesia’s East Kalimantan has died after suffering severe breathing difficulties, with worsening haze from forest and land fires suspected by the family to have contributed to the child’s condition.
According to iNews on Thursday, the baby was from Bukuan village in Palaran district, Samarinda, and was initially taken to hospital by family members after experiencing difficulty breathing.
The baby’s condition subsequently deteriorated, prompting medical staff to transfer the child to the intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring and intensive treatment.
Despite doctors’ efforts, the baby was pronounced dead the following day.
The baby’s grandfather, Sarno, claimed that thickening haze in their neighbourhood may have contributed to his grandchild’s respiratory problems.
“The smoke entered the house and blanketed the residential area heavily. My grandchild immediately experienced breathing difficulties,” he said when met at the family’s home on Thursday.
The family said the worsening haze had raised concerns about the health of residents, particularly babies and children, who are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.
The incident comes as forest and land fires in several parts of Indonesia remain ongoing, sending thick smoke across residential areas and affecting daily activities as air quality deteriorates.
However, there has been no official confirmation from the hospital or local health authorities that exposure to fire smoke caused or contributed to the baby’s death.
Further medical examinations and assessments are needed to determine the actual cause of death and whether it was linked to the haze.
