Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populated country and one of the worst-hit COVID-19 nations, is facing a shortage of oxygen supply. The situation in the country is extremely critical. Just two months earlier, the country was supplying oxygen to India when India was battling with a second COVID-19 wave.
Lack of Oxygen Supply in Indonesia, Government Seeks Help
Indonesia is going through very critical times now. The country is facing an extreme oxygen shortage. Recently, the country saw a sudden surge in cases and the number of deaths. Even fully vaccinated people and health workers are losing their lives in this new wave. Moreover, just a few months ago, the country provided 3500 oxygen cylinders to India when India was witnessing a second Covid wave. And now, the tables have turned for them. However, several countries have come forward to help Indonesia.
Government Asks for Help from Several Nations
Indonesia reached out to several countries for help including China, Singapore, and Australia. The Minister in charge of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that they have received good responses from different countries. However, the country received 1000 ventilators from Australia. Besides that, Singapore sent them more than 1000 oxygen cylinders, concentrators, and other health equipment. Pandjaitan also mentioned that the Indonesian government is planning to buy 36,000 tons of oxygen and 10,000 concentrators from Singapore. Moreover, Indonesia is in contact with other countries seeking help.
Hospitals in Indonesia Flooded with New COVID-19 Every day
So far, Indonesia has recorded 2,455,912 COVID-19 cases and around 65,000 deaths due to the virus. However, some reports suggest that these aren’t official records. The government is hiding the official data which are quite high than the official figures. Currently, the country is going through a very severe COVID-19 wave and the hospitals are flooded with new patients every day. Some people are not even getting the privilege of a hospital bed and are dying in home isolation.
The situation is Extremely Critical in the Country
Hospitals across Indonesia have run out of oxygen and are getting shut. They are not able to accept more patients as they lack oxygen supply. On an average basis, the country needs 1928 tons of oxygen daily. The country’s health experts are trying to cope up with the critical situation. Moreover, the country’s vaccination is also very slow. A few doctors died after receiving the Sinovac jab. Henceforth, the country has started vaccinating people with a Moderna jab