Jakarta. Tanoto Foundation, an independent philanthropy organization under the business conglomerate Royal Golden Eagle or RGE, is donating 500 tons of medical oxygen to support Indonesia’s fight against Covid-19.

In this program, Tanoto Foundation works alongside RGE’s business unit Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP). 

RAPP has converted half of its oxygen plant facility for pulp bleaching to produce the donated medical oxygen. The paper producer will roll out the oxygen in batches with 100 tons of oxygen in each shipment. RAPP sent off the first batch from Pangkalan Kerinci, Riau, on Friday. The first batch is expected to set foot in Jakarta on Sunday.

“The recent surge in Covid-19 cases has affected oxygen availability for patients in severe to critical conditions at hospitals as well as those in self-isolation,” RAPP chief operating officer Eduward Ginting told a virtual conference on Friday.

“[Our donation] is to help meet the demand for oxygen supplies. This is possible thanks to the coordination with BNPB [National Disaster Management Agency], Industry Ministry, Health Ministry, as well as other relevant government agencies.” 

According to Tanoto Foundation’s global chief executive officer Satrijo Tanudjojo, the donation was at Tanoto family’s behest. 

“Earlier this week, the Tanoto family instructed us to immediately step up and help supply oxygen for the hospitals in need with our business partner. [...] We hope this donation can help with the recovery of many Covid-19 patients,” Satrijo said.

Separately, Anderson Tanoto, Board of Trustee of Tanoto Foundation said the news on oxygen shortage prompted the foundation to carry out a swift distribution of RAPP-produced oxygen to Java. 

“We hope this will help hospitals who are in dire need, and the distribution will be under the Health Ministry’s supervision. [...] I would like to express my gratitude for the Industry Ministry and Health Ministry’s support, which has enabled for the oxygen to be transported and distributed in less than 36 hours to Java,” Anderson said.

At the conference, Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono reported there is an oxygen supply deficit in Java and Bali — two islands that are currently under strict social restrictions. 

“The oxygen production that we have mapped out on Java island is about 1,400 tons. Whereas the oxygen demand in Java and Bali is around 2,620 tons a day. There is still a gap of about 700 ton a day, so we are thankful for the Tanoto Foundation’s support,” Dante said. 

Earlier the Industry Ministry had urged any able industry to allocate their oxygen production for medical needs. Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang also applauded RAPP’s swift response to the government’s call.

“We hope other companies can follow RAPP’s footsteps,” Agus said.