PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will be sending some 20.9 million medical gloves to five African nations, which have been affected by the deadly Ebola virus.

The Prime Minister's Office in a statement today said Malaysia would sending 11 containers, each holding 1.9 million medical rubber gloves, for the purpose.

Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea will each receive three containers each while Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo will each receive one each, it said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak handed over the supplies to the countries' representatives here today.

Among those present to receive the contribution from Najib were Nigeria's High Commissioner, Bello Sheuhu Ringim, Guinea High Commissioner Dr Aloha Diallo and Republic of Congo Ambassador Francios Balumuene.

"Some of the affected countries have appealed for outside help in their battle against Ebola and medical experts have cited the shortage of medical rubber gloves as a key problem in combating the outbreak," the statement said.

The statement quoted a Malaysian government spokesperson as saying that the prime minister was concerned about the outbreak of Ebola and the lives it had claimed.

"Malaysia can make a unique and vital contribution to the fight against Ebola because we are one of the biggest manufacturers of rubber gloves. We hope this contribution will prevent the spread of Ebola and save lives," said the spokesperson.

A total of 13 companies have contributed to this cause. These companies sourced the raw materials from four plantations namely Sime Darby, Felda, Kuala Lumpur Kepong, Top Glove, IOI Group.

These medical rubber gloves will be transported from Port Klang to the respective main ports of each countries.

Meanwhile, the high commissioners and ambassador who were present today thanked the Malaysian government for contributing the medical gloves in response to the rapid outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.

Balumuene thanked the Malaysian government for the gesture of friendship in contributing the medical gloves.

"This gestures goes a long way in helping the affected countries," he said.

Chairman of Top Glove Corporation Bhd, the world's largest rubber glove manufacturer, Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai said the contribution valued at RM1.8 million would be transported starting next week.

"We will ship it to the respective health ministries. It will reach in six weeks," he said.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) said the contribution showed Malaysia's concern and the heart-warming sentiments from the Malaysian people in lending their support and assistance to the countries and people affected by the deadly epidemic.

"It reflects the existing excellent bilateral relations and cooperation between Malaysia with all the five countries," it said.

Wisma Putra said West Africa has been hit by the outbreak of a contagious haemorrhagic fever known as the Ebola Virus Disease since March this year.

It said the virus which started in the Forest region in the the south-eastern part of the Republic of Guinea had triggered a widespread epidemic in the Western African region particularly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Nigeria and recently Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The cumulative number of cases attributed to EVD in these affected countries as of 14 September stands at 4,453 cases including 2,263 deaths.

Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Foreign Minister, Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin and Advisor in the Prime Minister's Department, Tan Sri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis.

source:Bernama