In response to the rapid outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in several African countries, the Government of Malaysia in collaboration with the Malaysian private sector will contribute medical rubber gloves to the affected countries. Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia is scheduled to hand over the consignment of 20.9 million medical rubber gloves in 11 containers at a ceremony on Monday, 15 September 2014, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya.
The containers carrying 1.9 million medical gloves each will be distributed to the Republic of Liberia (3), the Republic of Sierra Leone (3), the Republic of Guinea (3), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (1) and the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1). The medical rubber gloves will be transported from Port Klang, Malaysia to the respective main ports of each country. The Companies which have contributed to this cause include Sime Darby, Felda, Kuala Lumpur Kepong, Top Glove, IOI Group as well as several members of Malaysia Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA).
West Africa has been hit by the outbreak of a contagious haemorrhagic fever known as EVD since March 2014. The virus which started in the Forest region of the south-eastern part of the Republic of Guinea triggered a widespread epidemic in the Western African region particularly in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria and recently in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The cumulative number of cases attributed to EVD in these affected countries as of 14 September 2014 stands at 4,453 cases including 2,263 deaths.
This contribution shows the concern shared by the Government and the Malaysian people for the people affected by the deadly disease. It also reflects the existing excellent bilateral relations and cooperation between Malaysia with all the five countries.
PUTRAJAYA 14 September 2014