Govt Ready to Produce Ventilators, Rapid Test Kits Domestically
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15 April 2020 15:02 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita announced on Wednesday the readiness of Indonesia’s textile association and National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) to handle COVID-19 cases.
“Soon, protective equipment can be produced up to 16,000 units daily. We collaborate with the BNPB and the Indonesian Textile Association to meet WHO’s standards,” said Agus following his meeting with President Jokowi on Wednesday, April 15.
The domestic production will also focus on producing ventilators and COVID-19 rapid test kits as the Minister of Research and Technology Bambang Brodjonegoro revealed that the first phase will see 200 ventilators start production in late April.
“Around 200 ventilators are scheduled for production in late April. The production capacity of our partners is 100 portable ventilators per week. Which is pretty sufficient,” said Bambang.
As of now, the government has two partners in the ventilator production industry that is expected to rise to four partners. This will enable production to be bumped up to 400 units each week. Meanwhile, COVID-19 rapid test kits and PCR units will also start production in a month ahead.
DEWI NURITA