Asking For Accelerated Oxygen Supply, Luhut: We're Playing With Time

Coordinating Minister Luhut Pandjaitan (DOK Setkab)

JAKARTA - The Coordinator for the Implementation of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan asked for additional oxygen supplies for COVID-19 patients to be added and accelerated. Thus, the oxygen can be used for the community, especially patients in need.

"We are playing with time, we have to work fast," said Luhut during a coordination meeting as quoted from his written statement to reporters, Thursday, July 8.

On that occasion, Luhut also explained the estimated oxygen demand to the policy makers who attended the meeting. In addition, he asked them to be responsive and work quickly for the safety of the community.

However, he still emphasized that the addition and procurement of oxygen cylinders for COVID-19 patients must involve many parties and still comply with applicable regulations.

Do not let procurement become problematic in the future, even though there is discretion given during this emergency.

Furthermore, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment has made a scenario for handling COVID-19 during the Emergency PPKM on the island of Java-Bali. Later, all matters relating to this limitation will be evaluated to determine its effectiveness.

"Because we don't know when the COVID-19 will be finished," he said.

Hearing this directive, the meeting participants admitted that they were ready and fully supported the efforts to handle COVID-19. Including, efforts to increase and provide oxygen supply for patients who are currently being treated due to exposure to the virus.

Meeting participants are also ready to work faster and responsively according to their authority as well as their main duties and functions in handling this pandemic.

The virtual meeting was attended by the Minister of Industry, Minister of SOEs, Deputy Minister of SOEs, Deputy Minister of Health, representatives of the Ministry of Finance, representatives of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), representatives of the State Electricity Company (PT PLN Persero), and other stakeholders.