They confirmed that the supply is sufficient, but they do not have sufficient vehicles and workers to distribute the oxygen.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan made assurance of oxygen supply being sufficient for COVID-19 patients in the capital city.

However, Baswedan, here on Monday, admitted to difficulties encountered in the distribution of oxygen to hospitals in the wake of a paucity of workers and vehicles.

The Jakarta governor held a coordination meeting on Friday (June 25) with oxygen distributors in Jakarta.

"They confirmed that the supply is sufficient, but they do not have adequate vehicles and workers to distribute the oxygen. Usually, the demand was not this high," he pointed out.

Oxygen demand in Jakarta has doubled and even tripled in the midst of a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The Jakarta provincial administration has mobilized its vehicles and personnel from the Landscaping Office, Environment Office, Bina Marga Highways Operator Office, and Water Resource Office to facilitate the distribution of oxygen.

In Pramuka Market, East Jakarta, the demand for oxygen for medical use has risen by 15 percent following a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Head of the Pharmaceutical Product Traders of Pramuka Market Edy Haryanto affirmed that oxygen supply was still adequate despite the increased demand.

Earlier last week, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin remarked that oxygen for industrial use would be channeled for COVID-19 patients at hospitals amid a spike in coronavirus disease cases in the country.

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

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 stated. Related news: Jakarta ensures adequate stocks of oxygen concentrators
Related news: Oxygen for industrial use to be diverted for COVID patients



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