VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

MPR chairman Bambang Soesatyo during a visit to electronics-based medical device industry PT PHC Indonesia. (ANTARA/ MPR RI) - 

The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has highlighted the need for prioritizing national products in the procurement of medical devices.

The request has been made in keeping with Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 6 of 2016 concerning the Acceleration of Development of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Industry, which was signed by President Joko Widodo on June 8, 2016.

"The Presidential Instruction is President Jokowi's political will, so it must be a spirit for all parties to build independence in the national health sector," MPR chairman Bambang Soesatyo said in a statement after visiting electronics-based medical device industry PT PHC Indonesia. The statement was received here on Friday.

Soesatyo expressed his concern over domestic medical devices not being accorded priority during procurement. In fact, some of the imported medical devices are domestic products, he said.

During his visit, he said he was impressed with the capability of PHC Indonesia, which has developed several medical devices, including ventilators and cool boxes, which are very much needed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The products developed by PHC Indonesia and Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) include Ventilator Vent-I, whose clinical trials have been carried out by the University of Padjadjaran (UNPAD).

The medical device has been produced with a Domestic Content Level (TKDN) of 42.2 percent, Soesatyo noted.

The product was designed by ITB, then refined and produced by PHC Indonesia, the company said.

According to the company, the ventilator complies with the international standards for medical devices issued by the International Electronical Commission (IEC 60601), the ventilator requirements standard (IEC80601), and the Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard EN55011 - CISPR 11.The product has also passed the clinical test conducted by Padjadjaran University and a product test conducted by BPFK of the Health Ministry and has received a Circular Permit from the ministry, it added.

"The development of such products should be a priority for the government. It is unfortunate if the government's budget for the procurement of medical devices is only enjoyed by foreign manufacturers. This will not only deplete foreign exchange, but will also slow down Indonesia's efforts to build self-reliance in the health sector," Soesatyo remarked.

PHC Indonesia is a pioneer in the domestic electronics-based medical device manufacturing sector and has been operating since 1991.

Since early 2021, PHC Indonesia and ITB have produced domestic ventilators of the Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP) Vent-I Essential 3.5 type, the company informed.

In addition, the company said it has produced several refrigeration devices, such as refrigerators and freezers, that are needed for vaccine storage//ANT