State govt welcomes donations from NGOs, other states
JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor government welcomes contributions of face and nose masks type R95 from any party, including other state governments and non-governmental organisations.
Chairman of the state Committee for Health, Environment and Agriculture Dr Sahruddin Jamal said this was because there had been complaints from the public that there was no more supply of the R95 face masks in the Pasir Gudang and city area.
“It is understood that the supply of R95 masks is limited and the public is finding it hard to get them.
“So, if any other state governments want to help by contributing R95, we (the Johor Government) will welcome them,” he told reporters after visiting the Disaster Aid Management Committee Operations Centre at Menara Aqabah, Pasir Gudang Municipal Council here today.
On Thursday, the media reported that the face masks were in high demand in pharmacies in Pasir Gudang, with many outlets running out of supply. The residents have now opted for the N95 masks.
Dr Sahruddin said he was also informed that the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Dosh) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh), yesterday contributed face masks too.
“Workers in the industry sector in Pasir Gudang do not face any problems as their employers provided them with face masks,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Sahruddin said 780 people were referred to the early treatment centre at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council Indoor Stadium from 6 pm until midnight yesterday.
He said this brings to 3,555 the number of people recorded for early treatment after they were affected by the chemical waste pollution case in Sungai Kim Kim which was reported on March 7.
Dr Sahruddin said of the 780 people, only 202 were referred for follow-up treatment at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) and the Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI), with 113 warded.
He added that the 531 victims who were earlier treated at both hospitals have been allowed to go home. – Bernama
