VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Head of Presidential Staff Moeldoko led the Coordination Meeting of the Domestic Ventilator Production Plan through a videoconference from the Bina Graha Building, Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (15/4) (KSP Documentation)

Three state-owned domestic companies voiced readiness to produce thousands of ventilators deemed necessary for patients exposed to a new type of coronavirus or COVID-19.

Head of Presidential Staff Moeldoko noted in a written statement in Jakarta on Wednesday that PT Len Industri, PT Pindad, and PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) were the strategic industries.

It also aligns with President Joko Widodo's instructions to optimize domestic resources in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. The head of state has also instructed to augment the use of raw material components from within the country.

"The opportunity to produce ventilators in the country aims to meet the requirement of breathing aids for COVID-19 patients," Moeldoko affirmed.

Moeldoko has also invited all industries to apply the president’s directive so that the domestic industry can more optimally handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I am proud because several parties, both companies, and universities, have come up with initiatives on ventilator production," he pointed out.

President Director of PTDI Elfien Goentoro claimed that his side was able to produce one thousand ventilators in a week. PTDI has collaborated with the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and the Surabaya Institute of Technology (ITS) as an innovator in manufacturing ventilators.

"We have ensured that the prototype cleared the test from the Health Facilities Safety Center (BPFK)," he stated.

President Director of PT Len Zakky Gamal is eyeing a daily ventilator production of up to 50 by May 2020.

"We expect the support of KSP (Presidential Staff Office) to accelerate development in the issuance of this production permit and ventilator distribution permit," Gamal stated.

Currently, PT Len is preparing to mass-produce ventilators that have passed the Health Facilities Safety Agency (BPFK) test. Furthermore, PT Len is readying a prototype industrial design developed with the Technology Assessment and Application Agency (BPPT).

Pindad President Director Abraham Mose is targeting to produce 40 ventilators on a daily basis, with the use of local products.

"This is designed to serve as an alternative solution to the lack of ventilator devices in hospitals. The component vendor comes from Pindad itself temporarily," Mose noted.

In the meantime, Director of Pharmacy and Medical Devices Supervisor of the Ministry of Health Sodikin Sadek stated that currently, 18 research teams from ITS, ITB, and UGM were there specifically for ventilators as well as from LIPI and companies producing medical devices.

Presently, the BPFK, in charge of licensing medical devices, is assisting several universities and companies in the ventilator production process. (ANTARA)