Indonesia Receives Ventilators, Medical Equipment from the US
The arrival of ventilators and medical equipment assistance at Soekarno-Hatta International airport in Tangerang from the United States of America (17/08/2021). (Source: Presidential Secretariat’s Press, Media, and Information Bureau)
In a bid to tackle COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia has received 150 ventilators and medical equipment from the US government shipped from New York City.
The assistance arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International airport in Tangerang, Banten on Thursday (17/08/2021).
On that occasion, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir expressed his thanks for the assistance and support given by the US Government, the Government of New York city, and New York citizens.
Erick also thanked low-cost carrier PT Citilink Indonesia for its contribution to ship the assistance from New York to Jakarta.
According Erick, it is proof that Indonesia can handle COVID-19 through mutual cooperation, adding that the assistance will be distributed to state-owned hospital throughout Indonesia.
In the meantime, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said that the Ministry, transportation sector under the Ministry, and state-owned transportation sectors will always support every effort to handle COVID-19 pandemic.
Budi also expressed his gratitude to PT Citilink Indonesia, the national airline PT Garuda Indonesia, and state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II for their contribution to support Indonesia’s efforts to tackle COVID-19 pandemic, while thanking US Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Sung Yong for his contribution to facilitate the cooperation.
On the same occasion, Kim Sung Yong underscored that it is important to build global cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
“To date, the US Government has given as many as eight million doses of vaccines, 1,000 ventilators, and more than USD65 million as assistance for COVID-19 handling in Indonesia,” he added.
Kim further said that the assistance reflects the strong partnership between US and Indonesia is also supported by US citizens, adding that not only the Government, but the US private sectors will also continue to provide assistance for COVID-19 handling in Indonesia.
Kim also expressed his appreciation to Erich Thohir for his initiative representing Indonesian people. Through Erick and the Minister’s efforts, Kim added, people of New York city were motivated to donate 150 ventilators to help more people in Indonesia.
For the record, based on the report from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the US private sectors have sent assistance in form of therapeutic drugs and medical equipment amounting to USD 52.3 million or around Rp750 billion on Friday (08/13/2021). (FID/TGH/DND/UN) (AP/EP)
