Jakarta. Tanoto Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, has donated personal protective equipment to doctors and health workers on the frontline of the fight against Covid-19 in Indonesia.

The foundation has imported 1 million masks, 1 million gloves, 3,000 goggles and 100,000 protective suits for health workers from China to help protect them against coronavirus infection at hospitals.

The donation was handed over to Doni Monardo, the head of the government's Covid-19 Task Force and National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) on Tuesday.

The agency will distribute the personal protective equipment (PPE) to hospitals in Jakarta, Medan and Pekanbaru.

"The Tanoto Foundation wants to help doctors and medical staff at risk of contracting Covid-19 through this donation of PPEs, which are vital in this time of emergency," Tanoto Foundation's global chief executive, Satrijo Tanudjojo, said on Tuesday.

"For us, their willingness and courage are a true form of heroism in these difficult times. We are sure we can fight this together. We will keep praying for the people of Indonesia," Satrijo said.

Doni thanked the Tanoto Foundation for its support in the joint effort to combat Covid-19.

"We realize medical workers on the front line combating Covid-19 badly need proper PPEs so they can work safely," he said.

Satrijo said bringing in the equipment to Indonesia proved to be a challenge as the pandemic has severely disrupted supply chains and cargo deliveries.

The Tanoto Foundation chartered an aircraft to fly the cargo from the factory in China to Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma Airport on Thursday and Friday.

Another chartered Garuda Indonesia Boeing 777-300 will fly in the remaining donation, totaling 30 tons, on Saturday, April 11.

"This delivery was made possible by the collaboration and support of the Indonesian government and relevant agencies. We'd like to offer our gratitude to the BNBP, the Transportation Ministry, the Customs Office, the Halim Perdanakusuma Aviation Security, the Indonesian Air Force and Garuda Indonesia who have worked incredibly hard to help us ensure all the equipment can land safely in Indonesia and even help us unload the goods, disinfecting them and ensuring they reach the right people," Satrijo said.

The Tanoto Foundation hopes the arrival of the equipment will help the government's efforts in combating the Covid-19 pandemic. The foundation collaborated with RGE, a global group of resource-based manufacturing companies, to provide the donation.