Ministry Of Industry Prioritizes Oxygen Production For Medical, Specially Handling COVID-19 Patients

Workers refill oxygen cylinders for medical needs in Banda Aceh, Aceh, Tuesday 29 June. (Syifa Yulinnas/Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) prioritizes the production and distribution of oxygen gas for medical needs, especially for handling COVID-19 patients.

Previously, the ratio of oxygen utilization for medical and industrial purposes was 40:60. Currently, the ratio of oxygen use to 60:40 between medical needs and industrial needs.

“Oxygen supply from industry is safe with a supply capacity of 850 tons/day, while oxygen demand for handling COVID-19 is around 800 tons/day. We also prioritize the need for oxygen supply for medical purposes," said Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Wednesday, June 30.

According to data from the Ministry of Industry, currently, the average utility of the oxygen gas industry is 80 percent of the installed capacity of 866.1 million kg/year, so there is still an "idle capacity" of around 225 million kg/year.

"If the idle capacity is still not sufficient, the supply of oxygen gas for the industry can be diverted for medical needs," said the Minister of Industry through a written statement.

He underlined that the production and distribution of oxygen gas is prioritized for the needs of hospitals and health facilities in dealing with the surge in COVID-19 cases. Oxygen gas for industrial needs is distributed after the needs for hospitals and health facilities are met.

"Until now both arrangements are still under control," he said.

According to the Minister of Industry, the increase in the need for oxygen cylinders occurred because hospitals added treatment room facilities in handling COVID-19, both in the form of wards and emergency tents.

"We are trying to fulfill the need for oxygen cylinders for the treatment of COVID-19 patients," said the Minister of Industry.

The number of oxygen cylinders in Indonesia is currently around 1.5-1.8 million tubes. The condition that occurs is the slow rotation of oxygen cylinders due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.

However, around 70-80 percent of hospitals in Java have facilities for Oxygen Regasification Installation.

He added that in the National Industrial Information System (SIINas), there are approximately 104 tube industries with KBLI 25120 that are capable of producing products such as water tanks, pressure vessels, boilers, LPG gas cylinders, gas cylinder components, heat exchangers, silos, cans, and fire extinguishers.

"We are optimizing the existing sources in the country to be able to strengthen the logistics of oxygen cylinders for current needs," said the Minister of Industry.

To overcome the scarcity of oxygen cylinders, according to the Minister of Industry, a synergy between Ministries/Institutions is needed, especially to deal with controlling tube prices and preventing hoarding.

In addition, it is necessary to facilitate the mobility and distribution of liquid oxygen and oxygen cylinders in the form of a dispensation from the Over Dimension Over Load (ODOL) limitation.

"We also expect reliable and continuous electricity supply support from PT PLN (Persero) for the oxygen gas industry, so that blackouts, flickering, and voltage and frequency swings do not occur," said Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita.