Oxygen Cylinder Import Option, DPR: Yesterday Send To India, Now Import

JAKARTA - The government is asked not to rush to open the option of importing oxygen cylinders in an effort to meet the treatment needs for COVID-19 patients in hospitals.

Member of Commission VII DPR, Mulyanto, assessed that the Government should optimize domestic production, so that there is synergy with efforts to move the industrial sector and the community's economy.

He analogizes imports as "divorce" in the household. Not forbidden but hated. So, this option should not be opened arbitrarily unless it is an emergency and very forced.

"Yesterday it was good that we sent oxygen gas to India. Now we want to import it. Even though our lips are not dry enough to discuss this issue," said Mulyanto to reporters, Tuesday, July 6.

According to him, the government must conduct an accurate supply-demand analysis and optimize domestic products. Because this option is feared to create a new imported mafia.

"It's okay to have opened an import option. This kind of policy has been eagerly awaited by the import mafia," said the PKS politician.

For this reason, the Banten constituency legislator asked the government to update domestic production data in the country. In addition, it is necessary to review the oxygen gas allocation policy for the health sector and the industrial sector.

If the health sector is still lacking, then just increase the quota to more than 60 percent. If necessary, said Mulyanto, it would be increased to 80 percent of the quota for oxygen gas.

"It is very logical that in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic which is peaking as it is today, our quota of oxygen gas for the health sector is increased and prioritized. We will all support this policy option," he said.

The most important thing, added Mulyanto, is the aspect of supervision, both in the production and distribution network stages. The government, through its supervisory apparatus, needs to ensure that there is no hoarding of oxygen gas cylinders that causes the shortage.

"Don't let irresponsible parties take the opportunity in adversity. We are very worried about this. And this is not something that is impossible to happen," he said.

Previously, the Government had pushed for the need to import oxygen cylinders to serve COVID-19 patients in various hospital emergency treatment rooms in a number of areas.

"We have also coordinated with the Minister of Industry to import 6 cubic meter and 1 cubic meter tubes to meet additional emergency rooms in hospitals," said Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin during a working meeting with Commission IX of the DPR RI which was monitored virtually. , Monday, July 5th.