UOB Indonesia has donated more than 500 medical oxygen cylinders to the Indonesia Ministry of Health on Wednesday (4 August) for hospitals in Indonesia that are grappling with a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.
Tapping into the group’s network, UOB Indonesia collaborated with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore to facilitate the export of 532 medical oxygen cylinders to Jakarta to be distributed to hospitals in need by the Indonesia Ministry of Health. The shipment is expected to arrive in the major city on 11 August.
The recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has been largely driven by the highly contagious Delta various, causing a spike in the Bed Occupancy Rate across hospitals. This has, in turn, led to a shortage of oxygen supply.
According to the Ministry of Health, Indonesia needs a total of 1,928 tonnes of oxygen per day for patients under intensive care. As such, the Indonesian government has placed a priority on increasing its supply of medical oxygen to meet the growing demand across the country.
Mr Hendra Gunawan, President Director, UOB Indonesia, said in a statement: “Our hearts go out to those in the community who are struggling as a result of the pandemic.”
“We hope that through our donation, we can contribute to the help and medical care given to patients with severe respiratory symptoms as having sufficient oxygen supply is crucial to their treatment.”
“We are grateful to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore for actively facilitating the donation in support of hospitals in Indonesia as they work around the clock to treat the growing number of COVID-19 cases. As we stand united as one community, we can overcome the crisis together and see through to better days ahead.”
Mr Eka Jusuf Singka, Head of Crisis Centre, Indonesia Ministry of Health, said: “Health care workers and hospitals are playing vital roles in keeping communities healthy during the pandemic.”
“As we face a severe shortage of oxygen supplies due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, we are grateful for all the assistance we are getting from UOB and with the support of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore. We hope that by joining hands, we can improve health and support community resilience.”
Chiming in, The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore H.E Suryopratomo welcomed UOB’s assistance and stressed the importance of all parties in the region working together to recover and strengthen its resilience both economically and in terms of public health.
He added, “No single country can be free from this pandemic without the collaborative efforts by its closest neighbours. Indonesia and Singapore are a good example of this, and therefore Indonesia would like to express its utmost sincere gratitude to UOB for the kind support and assistance”.
UOB Indonesia’s donation of medical oxygen cylinders is the latest in a series of initiatives under the UOB’s global #UnitedForYou COVID-19 Relief Programme.
In June 2021, UOB Indonesia also collaborated with partners to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations to Indonesians, in support of the government’s effort to encourage vaccinations to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia.
Beyond that, the Bank has also sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in May 2020 last year, when such equipment were in short supply globally. A donation comprising 100,000 surgical masks, 5,000 N95 and 1,000 hazmat suits was distributed to 10 hospitals across Indonesia. UOB also donated household essential items to 1,500 underprivileged families including taxi drivers during this period.
