Health Minister Guarantees Sufficient Oxygen Supply for Hospitals

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin has ensured that the medical oxygen supply is sufficient following issue regarding the lack of oxygen supply in a number of hospitals amid surge in COVID-19 cases.

“The Government ensure that there is sufficient oxygen,” Budi said in a virtual press statement, Friday (25/6).

The Minister explained that currently 75 percent of the oxygen production capacity by local producers is allocated for industrial needs while the 25 percent is allocated for medical needs. Therefore, this time, the allocation for the industry will be diverted to the production of medical oxygen, he added.

“There is one local oxygen company that does produce almost 90 percent of the oxygen in hospitals. However, only 25 percent of the production is designated for hospitals and the 75 percent is used to supply industry. The commitment of this company is that the 75 percent allocation is ready to be given to hospitals. That way, we still have enough supply,” he explained.

For the record, there are nine factories that will supply the medical oxygen. Four factories are located in West Java province, one in Central Java province, and four in East Java province.

Budi emphasized that the Ministry had coordinated with the state electricity company PLN to ensure electricity supply for those factories.

“We have coordinated with the PLN to ensure that the electricity supply is consistent for all oxygen factories in Java Island so that their operation can run smoothly,” he said.

Budi went on to say that the Ministry has also coordinated with related parties to ensure the smooth distribution of the oxygen. Oxygen needs in Central Java, which only has one oxygen factory, he added, can be met from other factories in West Java or East Java.

“We can immediately fill the demand from factories in West Java or East Java provinces. We also make sure that the number of trucks used to carry the oxygen is sufficient. We have also coordinated with the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander and the National Police Chief to ensure that the movement of these large trucks is safe,” he said.

In his press statement, the Minister also emphasized that the current stock of oxygen cylinders is also sufficient. “Minister of Industry has informed that we have 3,000 units oxygen cylinders in stock. These tube manufacturers are generally domestic companies, they can quickly produce oxygen cylinders,” he said.

Budi added that hospitals that do not yet have oxygen gas installations are also not advised to increase the stock of oxygen cylinders because the rotation of the cylinders will be better maintained so that there is no shortage. (DND/UN) (EST/LW)