Jakarta (ANTARA) - State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) Minister Erick Thohir lauded the state electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) for producing medical oxygen to assist Indonesia’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I appreciate PLN's efforts to produce pure medical oxygen to assist in handing COVID-19. PLN has made a breakthrough in processing oxygen, which was previously thrown out, five times over stages, becoming pure medical oxygen that meets the Health Ministry's requirements," Thohir said, during the launching of PLN oxygen production on Thursday.
The ministry also lauded PLN's plan to increase its pure medical oxygen production capacity to two tonnes per day, he added.
Currently, the Muara Karang Steam Power Plants (PLTGU) in Jakarta produces up to 900m3 of pure medical oxygen per month.
Indonesia, as a great country, must rise from COVID-19 through innovation and the collaboration of all stakeholders, Thohir further added, stating, "Through innovative breakthroughs and collaborations with many ministries, we are always working to solve the pandemic. We must assure Indonesians that we are here to serve them."
He was accompanied during the event by PLN President Director Zulkifli Zainin, and PLN Chief Commissioner Amien Sunaryadi. The pure medical oxygen was symbolically handed over to the Director of Pasar Minggu Regional Hospital and the Cempaka Putih Islamic Hospital.
PLN's production of pure medical oxygen aims to ease the burdens of the public who are suffering due to the pandemic.
Many companies, both state-owned and private, allocated assistance to those infected and affected by COVID-19 since restrictions came into force.
The central government again extended the restrictions, lasting from 12th to 16th August, due to the increasing numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.
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