President Joko Widodo appreciated the initiative of private entrepreneurs to create a Gotong Royong or Mutual Cooperation Oxygen House to accommodate patients infected with the Coronavirus. The facility is expected to reduce pressure on hospitals, especially in a number of provinces with high bed occupancy rates.

When directly inspecting the first Gotong Royong Oxygen House located in Pulo Gadung area, East Jakarta, last Saturday (24/7), President Joko Widodo stated that the construction of the Oxygen House which can accommodate 500 patients will be 100 percent completed in early August 2021. On this occasion, he hopes that similar initiatives can be carried out not only in Jakarta, but also in other areas. According to President Joko Widodo, the addition of this capacity will reduce the hospital bed occupancy rate.

The Gotong Royong Oxygen House itself is a semi-permanent health facility specifically equipped with oxygen supply devices and treatment beds for Covid-19 patients with moderate symptoms. The facility was established adjacent to the oxygen plant so as to ensure the availability of oxygen with direct access via a pipe from the oxygen plant to The Gotong Royong Oxygen House.

The presence of the oxygen house is expected to help Covid-19 patients who need access to medical oxygen. While hospitals can be used for those who require more intensive care,

The Gotong Royong Oxygen House does require comprehensive cooperation among all parties, both the government and the private sector. This is in order to provide health facilities to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, which is currently still having a high rate of spread. It is hoped that the construction of The Gotong Royong Oxygen House in Jakarta will be followed by similar steps, especially in areas where the positive number of Covid-19 infections is still high.

In addition, public awareness to continue to adhere to strict health protocols is also very necessary to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Indonesia. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.