{
  "id": 14639280,
  "title": "Health Ministry races to stock aerochambers and nebulisers as haze drives surge in respiratory cases",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/health-ministry-races-to-stock-aerochambers-and-nebulisers-as-haze-14639280",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-15T07:10:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/15/health-ministry-races-to-stock-aerochambers-and-nebulisers-as-haze-drives-surge-in-respiratory-cases/239203"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — The Malaysian Health Ministry (MOH) has ramped up the provision of essential medical supplies in healthcare centers across the country in anticipation of an anticipated surge in haze-induced respiratory ailments, informed Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The ministry added 841 adult aerochambers, 396 pediatric aerochambers, and 576 nebulisers to bolster its capacity to handle a possible increase in respiratory cases. The ministry activated the National Haze Operations Room on September 4 and is closely monitoring three primary health issues: upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), asthma, and conjunctivitis, through 78 sentinel healthcare facilities. Dr Dzulkefly addressed Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) concerns about the ministry's initiatives to counter the impact of haze on public health and inter-agency cooperation in air quality monitoring and protection of vulnerable groups. Monitoring at 78 sentinel healthcare facilities revealed a 167.21 per cent surge in URTI cases, rising from 2,644 to 7,065 in epidemiological week 36, attributable to deteriorating air quality. Regarding collaboration with other agencies, Dr Dzulkefly revealed that the Health Ministry has been providing technical guidance to the Education Ministry and Higher Education Ministry on pausing outdoor activities when the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeds 100 and recommending school closures when the reading surpasses 200. The ministry also closely cooperates with the Department of Environment, Malaysian Meteorological Department, and National Disaster Management Agency to ensure timely warnings and preventive measures are effectively communicated to the public.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — The Health Ministry (MOH) has increased stocks of medical equipment at healthcare facilitie...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Health Ministry races to stock aerochambers and nebulisers as haze drives surge in respiratory cases",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/health-ministry-races-to-stock-aerochambers-and-nebulisers-as-haze",
        "published": "2026-10-15T07:10:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}