COVID-19 In India Goes Crazy, There's Good News From Airlangga: Indonesia Will Send 3,400 Oxygen Cylinders

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that Indonesia supports India to be able to escape the surge in COVID-19 cases by distributing aid in the form of 1,400 oxygen cylinders in the first phase of a total of 3,400 units.

The assistance of 3,400 oxygen cylinders was given to India through the cooperation of the Indonesian Industrial Gas Association (AGII) as the main producer of oxygen gas in Indonesia.

"I express my appreciation to the Ministry of Industry, PT Samator Group which is one of the major producers of AGII, and all parties that have been involved", he said in an official statement, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, May 11.

In addition to PT Samator, industry players and other participating associations are PT Indorama Ventures Indonesia, and PT Indo-Rama Synthetics Tbk. Then also PT Asia Pacific Fibers Tbk, PT Indo Bharat Rayon (Aditya Birla Group), PT Mutu Gading Tekstil, and the Carpet and Prayer Mat Industry Association.

Airlangga said assistance was provided because India is currently facing a second big wave of the COVID-19 pandemic which is heavier than the first wave.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, India has reported 21.49 million cases and 234,083 deaths, making India's COVID-19 cases second only to the United States.

There are now 3.6 million active cases in India which even in the past week has reported an additional 1.57 million new cases and a high spike in the number of daily deaths.

Health workers in India are struggling on the front lines to deal with a surge in patient numbers but the availability of medical devices, ventilators, and oxygen cylinders for patients is very limited.

Meanwhile, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said that India has been a strategic partner country for Indonesia both in terms of diplomatic and economic cooperation, especially in the industrial and trade sectors.

"Naturally, we help our brothers and sisters in India who are experiencing difficulties", Agus said.

Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Manoj Kumar Bharti appreciates the assistance from Indonesia and hopes that both India and Indonesia can quickly overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

"So is the improving economy for both countries", he said.