Riau Governor Releases 500 Tons Of Oxygen Delivery To Java And Bali Islands

Riau supports oxygen supply to the islands of Java and Bali. (Photo Antara/HO-Humas Riau Provincial Government).

PEKANBARU – To support oxygen supplies in a number of areas, educational institutions in Riau have sent 500 tons of oxygen to Java and Bali. This assistance was given to deal with the oxygen shortage, which was starting to happen.

"The oxygen was handed over to the Ministry of Health for immediate distribution to Java and Bali. We support the program from the Tanoto Foundation to help with oxygen scarcity there," said Riau Governor Syamsuar, in a statement in Pekanbaru, Saturday, July 10.

According to Syamsuar, the assistance of hundreds of tons of oxygen was provided by the Tanoto Foundation, an independent philanthropic organization in the field of education, while the 500 tons of oxygen was produced by the PT Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (APRIL Group) factory.

Syamsuar will also contact 2 companies in Riau, because both companies also produce oxygen. "There are 2 more companies that have oxygen to meet the needs of our brothers in Java and Bali. Oxygen will really help positive COVID-19 patients who attack the lungs," he said.

Oxygen is distributed to meet the needs of COVID-19 patients in Indonesia through direct coordination with the Ministry of Industry, because the surge in COVID-19 patients causes the availability of oxygen for patients being treated in hospitals to be limited.

Previously, the Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang, expressed his appreciation to the Tanoto Foundation and partner companies APRIL Group.

"In this pandemic condition, the company is willing to provide medical oxygen supply assistance by diverting oxygen plant facilities for the bleaching pulp process, part of which is used for medical oxygen of 500 tons or 100 tons in five shipments. gradually," he said.

Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Dante Saksono, said that the availability of oxygen was urgently needed amid the increase in COVID-19 cases, especially for the Java and surrounding areas.

"Availability of oxygen is an essential thing that must be met immediately amid the increase in COVID-19 cases. Of course we are grateful to the Tanoto Foundation and APRIL Group who helped provide oxygen for hospitals in Java Island that had to treat patients," he said .

According to Dante, COVID-19 patients with severe-critical symptoms desperately need oxygen. This pandemic must be faced and shoulder to shoulder from all stakeholders, both the government, the private sector and the community.

Meanwhile, the Board of Trustee of the Tanoto Foundation, Anderson Tanoto said that 500 tons of oxygen were distributed after receiving information that there were limitations, especially in areas where there was an increase in COVID-19.

"We are called to respond quickly when we get information that the availability of oxygen for hospitals treating COVID-19 patients is starting to become limited," he said.

From data from the Ministry of Health, the need for medical oxygen in Indonesia has increased more than 6 times than usual. With the pandemic conditions before the surge in the number of COVID-19 patients, the need for medical oxygen in Indonesia is around 400 tons per day. However, now medical oxygen needs reach 2,500 tons per day.