{
  "id": 3690845,
  "title": "Penang health facilities on standby as haze raises respiratory concerns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/penang-health-facilities-on-standby-as-haze-raises-respiratory",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-27T07:05:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1519908/penang-health-facilities-standby-haze-raises-respiratory-concerns"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "All healthcare facilities in Penang are on standby to treat respiratory cases as unhealthy air quality raises concerns over haze-related illnesses, according to the New Straits Times. State Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi said the state Health Department is monitoring the situation closely, with no spike in respiratory-related cases reported so far. However, healthcare facilities are urged to treat any patients experiencing respiratory-related symptoms, while the public is encouraged to limit outdoor activities and wear face masks when outdoors, particularly if they feel unwell. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow emphasized that the haze is a recurring regional issue that requires stronger enforcement and monitoring at its source, noting that existing efforts have yet to effectively address its causes.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}