JAKARTA - The number of cases of COVID-19 in the country has continued to increase in recent times, making the availability of oxygen scarce. Although it has focused on domestic oxygen production for hospitals and health services, the government believes that additional oxygen is needed. Therefore, the government plans to import tens of thousands of tons of liquid oxygen.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said the move was to overcome the health crisis in Indonesia due to the COVID-19 case.
"Meanwhile, we are importing 40,000 tons of liquid oxygen for our future use. We'll be on guard. Even though we don't really need that much", he said on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube show, Monday, July 12.
The Coordinator for the Implementation of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in Java and Bali said this step was taken by the government because it learned from the trend of increasing COVID-19 cases in several countries in the world. Such as the trend of increasing cases of COVID-19 in the United States and the United Kingdom.
"We'd better be on guard so we're not surprised", he said.
In addition to importing thousands of tons of liquid oxygen, the government also imports 50,000 oxygen concentrators. Luhut said this amount would increase the existing stock of oxygen concentrators in the country by 10,000.
Furthermore, Luhut said, this oxygen concentrator will be distributed to COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms who are undergoing self-isolation at home.
"We will lend it to homes and when it is finished we can take it. It can be 5 liters so it can be used for 5 days. And I think this is also if God willing, the COVID-19 case can still be distributed to our hospitals", he said.
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Previously, the Ministry of Industry prioritized the production and distribution of oxygen gas for medical needs, especially for handling COVID-19 patients. The ratio of oxygen utilization for medical purposes and the industry was previously 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 medical oxygen supply", said Industry Minister Agus, 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 insufficient, the supply of oxygen gas for the industry can be diverted for medical needs", he said.
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