Govt, Gas Industry Unite to Stem Oxygen Shortage Crisis

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Health Ministry's Director of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, on Monday announced the ministry would be working in tandem with three companies in the gas industry to supply the need for medical-grade oxygen. 

“We have communicated this with all gas companies in the industry,” said Tarmizi on July 26. 

Prior to her announcement, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan were requesting help to supply hospitals with oxygen from PT Krakatau Steel, Samator Group, and PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park.

Other companies approached by the government included Linde Group, Iwatani Industrial Gas Indonesia, and PT Air Liquide Indonesia. In terms of distribution, the Health Ministry has collaborated with Pertamina, Aico Energi, and other state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

“We also will add supplies of oxygen tanks and oxygen concentrators,” said Tarmizi.

She also provided a response to the subpoena filed by more than 100 civil society organizations due the the oxygen scarcity against President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi, and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

The organizations demand the government immediately impose price control, guarantee oxygen supply and tanks and ensure its distribution within seven days. She said this issue had been discussed by members of the COVID-19 handling and national economic recovery committee.

Read: LBH Highlights Oxygen Shortage in Bali Leading to Deaths, Delayed Operations

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI