Health Office Says Karhutla Haze Worsened Condition of Teen Who Died in Barito Timur

PALANGKA RAYA, KOMPAS.com - Ronan Giovinco, a 17-year-old teenager from Barito District, Central Kalimantan, passed away after experiencing shortness of breath on Sunday (20/9/2026).

The haze caused by forest and land fires (karhutla) was said to have worsened Ronan's illness.

The Head of the Barito Timur Health Office, Jimmi Hutagalung, explained that Ronan, who was a resident of Taniran Village, Benua Lima District, initially suffered from cough and cold symptoms about a week earlier.

"About a week ago, he had a cough and cold but had recovered and had no history of asthma," Jimmi said when contacted by Kompas.com from Palangka Raya on Monday (21/9/2026).

On Friday, September 18, 2026, Ronan complained of fever and feeling unwell but was still able to carry out his usual activities. At that time, there were no complaints of cough or cold.

"On Saturday, September 19, 2026, the deceased began to feel weak, and had not sought medical treatment yet," he added.

Condition Worsened by Haze

On Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 2:00 AM Western Indonesian Time, Ronan Giovinco complained of shortness of breath.

He was then taken to the emergency room of RSUD Tamiyang Layang for initial medical assistance.

"Mr. Ronan was declared deceased at 3:55 AM, with a diagnosis from the hospital's doctor of ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome). The patient had no history of allergies. ARDS means acute respiratory failure. The patient first experienced coughing," Jimmi explained.

Jimmi mentioned that the haze from the karhutla also affected the late Ronan's health condition.

This was because the air quality in Barito Timur was categorized as hazardous.

"Given the current haze situation, it can affect a patient's respiratory system. According to yesterday's air quality indicator from the Health Office, it falls under the hazardous category," he said.

The Acting Head of the P2P Division at Barito Timur Health Office, Mayerni, added that Ronan had not previously sought medical care.

She acknowledged that the haze condition worsened the deceased's illness, although it could not yet be confirmed that his death was primarily due to haze exposure from the karhutla.

"For this case, we cannot yet state that the death was caused by the haze from karhutla. Indeed, exposure to haze can aggravate respiratory disorders," Mayerni said when confirmed via messaging application.