United Overseas Bank : UOB Indonesia donates more than 500 oxygen cylinders to the Indonesia Ministry of Health to ease the pressure on Indonesian hospitals

03 August 2021

Bank collaborates with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore to facilitate the donation of medical oxygen to Indonesia amid surge of COVID-19 cases

Mr Hendra Gunawan, President Director, UOB Indonesia, (left) with H.E Ambassador of Indonesia to Singapore, Mr Suryopratomo (right) in a symbolic donation ceremony of 532 oxygen cylinders to the Indonesia Ministry of Health, facilitated by the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore

UOB Indonesia today donated more than 500 medical oxygen cylinders to the Indonesia Ministry of Health for hospitals in Indonesia which are grappling with a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

UOB Indonesia tapped the Group's network and collaborated with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore to facilitate the export of these medical oxygen cylinders to Indonesia. Upon arriving in Jakarta on 11 August 2021, the shipment of 532 cylinders of oxygen will be distributed by the Indonesia Ministry of Health to hospitals in need.

Indonesia has seen a surge of COVID-19 cases, largely driven by the highly-contagious Delta variant. This has caused a spike in the Bed Occupancy Rate¹ across hospitals which has resulted in a severe shortage of oxygen supply. According to the Ministry of Health, Indonesia needs a total of 1,928 tonnes of oxygen² per day for patients under intensive care. 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, '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.'

H.E Suryopratomo, The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore, said, 'The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore welcomes UOB's assistance of 532 medical oxygen cylinders to address the COVID-19 situation in Indonesia. This initiative and alertness are proof of UOB's great concern in supporting the Indonesian government's efforts. All parties need to work together in order that the region can recover and strengthen its resilience from the health and economic points of view. 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'.

The donation of medical oxygen cylinders is the latest in a series of relief initiatives under UOB's global #UnitedForYou COVID-19 Relief Programme. In June 2021, UOB Indonesia also collaborated with like-minded partners to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations to Indonesians. This is in support of the government's effort to encourage vaccinations to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia.

UOB Indonesia also donated 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. The Bank also donated household essential items to 1,500 underprivileged families including taxi drivers during this period.

¹ COVID-19 - WHO, Situation Report, source: www.who.int

² Source: www.kemkes.go.id