JAKARTA - The Ministry of Industry encouraged the Indonesian Textile Association (API) so that its members can produce masks and personal protective equipment (PPE). This is to meet the current high domestic demand, especially to supply the needs of healthcare workers in handling patients exposed to the coronavirus (Covid-19).
"In addition to the PPE industry, we also encourage domestic textile producers to participate in supplying PPE and masks. Because, currently we still need quite a lot to handle the coronavirus spread in Indonesia,” said Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in Jakarta, Friday (27/3).
The Minister of Industry said, in an effort to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak in the country, it is projected that up to the next four months as many as 12 million pieces of PPE are needed. Therefore, the Ministry of Industry has mapped the potential of the domestic PPE industry, including the textile industry which is willing to produce PPE and masks. PPE is needed, including clothing, caps, towels, gloves, leg guards, hand protectors and face protective glasses (goggles).
In fact, the Ministry of Industry also encourages domestic automotive manufacturers to be able to produce medical devices, such as ventilators or breathing apparatus. "For the supply of ventilators, a simple prototype will be made that can be mass produced through cooperation between the automotive industry and the component industry," he said. (LM)