Respiratory diseases linked to bauxite on the rise

Cases of respiratory diseases in Kuantan rose last year especially in the areas near bauxite mining activities.

Without quoting any statistics, Pahang Health, Human Resources and Special Tasks Committee chairman Datuk Norol Azali Sulaiman said there was an increase in cases recorded at health clinics around Bukit Goh, Indera Mahkota and Balok.

"With the rising trend, we cannot rule out the possibility of these cases being linked to bauxite despite the bad haze in the country last year," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after visiting Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) here Tuesday accompanied by Pahang Health director Datuk Zainal Ariffin Omar.

Following this, the state government through the Health Department is monitoring patients to identify the main cause of escalation in such cases.

"We have just held a special committee meeting to assist the Health Department and other agencies to identify the cause," he said.

He said to date there were no clinical deaths reported due to bauxite in Pahang.

In another development, Norol Azali said there was a dire need for the community to help eradicate Aedes mosquitoes and control the problem of dengue in the state.

He said most of the residents thought it was only the duty of the state government.

Norol Azali said public reception to anti-dengue campaign had been not very encouraging which resulted in the return of dengue cases to the same areas.