Indonesia Needs 1.4 Million Cubic Meters of Oxygen Per Day, Demand Continues to Rise

Indonesia required 1,480,536 cubic meters (m³) of oxygen per day to treat patients infected with the Covid-19 coronavirus until Tuesday, July 13, 2021. According to PATH data, this amount represents 56% of the total oxygen needs in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia followed with an oxygen requirement for coronavirus treatment reaching 345,367 m³ per day. Meanwhile, the oxygen requirement for coronavirus treatment in Thailand reached 326,091 m³.

The high oxygen demand in Indonesia is in line with the surge in coronavirus cases since early June 2021. Indeed, additional coronavirus cases in Indonesia reached a record high of 40,427 on Monday, July 12, 2021.

To address this issue, the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) diverted up to 90% of oxygen from industry to medical use, equivalent to 575,000 tons. Kemenperin also issued Ministerial Instruction Number 1 of 2021, obligating domestic industries to meet the oxygen needs of healthcare facilities.

Furthermore, the government imported 6 m³ and 1 m³ cylinders for use in additional emergency rooms in hospitals. Several countries, such as Australia and Singapore, have also sent oxygen aid to Indonesia.

In addition, coronavirus transmission needs to be suppressed as much as possible. This can be done by the public diligently implementing the 3M health protocols: wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands with soap.

PATH estimates daily oxygen needs per country based on coronavirus case reports. The figures do not reflect the oxygen needs of patients not infected with coronavirus.