Malaysia to donate 18 million medical rubber gloves to Wuhan

PUTRAJAYA — The Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council and several glove manufacturers will donate 18 million gloves to Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak.

Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok announced this on Friday (Jan 31) during a special press conference at her ministry.

Ms Kok said that the first batch of three million gloves was already on its way to Wuhan, with the rest to be shipped gradually in batches.

“At present, hospitals in Wuhan, the central Chinese city at the crux of the coronavirus outbreak. We are calling out for much needed protective medical supplies, such as masks and gloves, as supplies run low.

“I am pleased that the Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council and the rubber gloves manufacturers in Malaysia have pledged to donate 18 million pieces of medical gloves to be sent to Wuhan

“It was during the Chinese New Year celebration that these companies were approached to help China, to help treat patients there,” she said.

Malaysia is the world’s top rubber producer and in 2014 sent more than 20 million medical rubber gloves to the African nations of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Nigeria and Congo during the Ebola outbreak then. MALAY MAIL