Malaysia donates 18 million pieces of medical gloves for healthcare workers in Wuhan, China amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. — File Picture
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 31 — A total of 18 million pieces of medical gloves would be donated by 10 Malaysian glove companies for healthcare workers in Wuhan, China, currently battling the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak.
Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said the medical gloves, both natural rubber and nitrile rubber would be sent to China in batches with the first shipment already on its way.
"Two companies, Top Glove and Supermax have already donated 2.3 million pieces of gloves through their local offices and distributors to Wuhan.
"Other glove companies that came forward to support the humanitarian drive are Hartalega, MREPC, Smart Glove, Kossan, YTY, Brightway, Koon Seng and Careplus," she said in a press conference here today.
Earlier, the minister witnessed the handing over of medical gloves by representatives of the companies concerned to China’s ambassador in Malaysia, Bai Tian.
Malaysia is currently the world leader in the production of medical gloves, with approximately 180 billion pieces exported worldwide.
In 2018, Malaysia's glove exports contributed RM17.7 billion to the nation while in 2019, the export touched RM18 billion.
In 2014, Malaysia sent more than 20 million medical rubber gloves to five African countries (Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria and Congo), following the outbreak of the Ebola virus.
— Bernama
