KUCHING: Politeknik Mukah is taking steps to face hazy conditions as the air quality in Mukah reaches unhealthy levels.
The air pollutant index (API) in Mukah rose to 105 at 2pm on Wednesday (July 30), largely due to a forest fire in the area.
An API reading of 101-200 is considered unhealthy.
Politeknik Mukah corporate communications unit head Ahmad Nabil Mohamad said over 700 new students who registered for the first session of the 2025-2026 academic year were currently attending orientation week, which began on Monday (July 28).
He said the polytechnic had activated its haze action plan, which included providing face masks and having a medical assistant (MA) on duty throughout the week.
"The MA is on standby at every event. We also provide face masks for students to use throughout the process," he said on Wednesday.
Ahmad Nabil said some students who complained of breathing difficulties were attended to by the MA.
"The MA will deal with any health problems directly. If it is serious, we will send them to hospital. We have a driver on standby for this.
"If it can be handled by the polytechnic, we will resolve it at the polytechnic level," he said.
He added that wardens were also on standby at all hours during orientation week.
