Bisnis.com, JAKARTA - The Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, said the need for oxygen has increased significantly amid the increasing pandemic in Indonesia.He explained that currently, the need for oxygen increases five times a day from the need in normal times.According to the Minister of Health, generally, oxygen demand is 400 tons per day, and now it is 2000 tons per day.In fact, the oxygen production capacity in Indonesia is only capable of producing 1,700 tons of oxygen per day."Because the need for oxygen continues to increase, we will regulate this need later. If previously we used canister oxygen, later we will try to complete this need with an oxygen concentrator," he said virtually at the House of Representatives Commission IX Meeting which was uploaded to the DPR RI YouTube account, Tuesday (13/7/2021).Later the oxygen demand from each isolation bed will be equipped with an oxygen concentrator so that it does not depend on logistics, production and does not depend on large trucks that have to transport cylinders every day.According to him, the current need for oxygen is around 60,000-90,000 units.And the Ministry of Health will focus on providing oxygen concentrators because they are easier to use.The price, he said, is estimated at US$500 per unit.The reason he chose the oxygen concentrator in the hospital, was because it only needed a power outlet to produce oxygen.The oxygen concentrator itself has a capacity of 5 liters per minute and there are 10 liters per minute.However, he continued, the oxygen could only meet the oxygen demand in the self-isolation room, but could not meet the oxygen demand in the ICU, which requires very high oxygen.Budi also said that the oxygen demand in West Java, Central Java and Yogyakarta exceeds production capacity.Because it is lacking, Indonesia must import oxygen to meet these needs."If the capacity of the oxygen concentrator is fulfilled, it is hoped that this can meet the oxygen needs of the patients who are self-isolating at home. We will lend it and send the oxygen concentrator to their home with the help of a delivery service," concluded Budi.Check out other news about the topic of this article, here:Join and get analysis of economic and business information via your email.