VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A trader in Yogyakarta holds a sign signaling empty stocks of oxygen on Wednesday (June 23, 2021). The province has been experiencing an oxygen shortage since June 21, 2021 following a spike in coronavirus cases. (ANTARA PHOTO/Andreas Fitri Atmoko/foc) - 

Oxygen for industrial use will be diverted for COVID-19 patients in hospitals amid a spike in coronavirus cases in the country, Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has said.

"We have the commitment from oxygen suppliers that they will divert industrial oxygen for medical use," the minister said at an online press conference that was broadcast via the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel here on Friday.

At least 75 percent of Indonesia’s liquid oxygen production goes to the industry and 25 percent is put to medical use, he noted.

The agreement to divert industrial oxygen for medical use would help the government tackle the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, he said.

Sadikin also asked hospitals to increase the frequency of refilling oxygen cylinders in view of the escalating demand for oxygen.

"As we use it more frequently, maybe we can refill (the cylinders) once in a week or once every three days," he suggested.

Currently, Indonesia has four oxygen factories in West Java, one in Central Java, and four factories in East Java.

West and East Java could cover demand in Central Java in case of scarcity in the region, Sadikin said.

The minister also called on Indonesian military commander, Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, and the Indonesian police chief, Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, to ensure the safety and smoothness of oxygen distribution from the factories to hospitals.

"In case of (oxygen) scarcity in Central Java, we can cover (the supply) from West and East Java. We will work in coordination with the military and police to secure distribution," he said//ANT