Procurement News Notice |
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| PNN | 6488 |
| Work Detail | The government is working hand in glove with manufacturers to raise global consumption of the medical device that is currently averaging at 25 pairs per person per year, said Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council (MREPC) chief executive officer Low Yoke Kiew. "We're working with manufacturers to promote higher consumption of Malaysian-made gloves across healthcare and food-handling sectors in emerging markets," she said. She was speaking with reporters after Deputy Minister of Plantations Industries and Commodities Datuk Datu Nasrun Datu Mansur officiated at the opening of the 2016 International Rubber Glove Conference & Exhibition here today. According to MREPC data, global consumption rate of medical gloves is averaging at 25 pairs but in China, the per capita usage is only three pairs while in India, it is two pairs. "There's room for growth in Malaysia's rubber glove exports," she said. The 2016 IRGCE facilitates global discussion of rubber glove industry. The three-day event is seeing 95 exhibitors from 11 countries, 33 of whom are glove makers. Themed, “Beyond Just Infection & Contamination Control”, this year's trade conference saw international exhibitors from China, United States, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Also present was Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma) president Denis Low Jau Foo who noted that Malaysia's rubber gloves exports hit RM6.4 billion in the first half of this year. "We're optimistic this year’s exports should surpass last year’s RM13.1 billion as global demand for the medical device remains firm. We usually receive higher orders towards the end of the year," he said. Malaysia reported its first Zika infection last week — a woman living near Kuala Lumpur who contracted the virus during a visit to Singapore. On Saturday, Malaysian authorities said they had detected the second victim in Sabah. In response, Malaysia's Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam noted the confirmation of the second Zika case in Kota Kinabalu suggests that the virus is already present in our country. "New cases will continue to emerge," he reportedly said. In just one week, Zika cases in Singapore have gone from zero to 258, raising concerns about a potential rapid surge in cases across southeast Asia. Thai government reportedly said this year there were 97 Zika virus cases while over at the Philippines, its first case of the Zika virus for the year was confirmed yesterday. The Philippines Health Ministry said it was "highly likely" it had been locally transmitted and expected more cases after stepping up surveillance. In February 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a global state of emergency over Zika, predicting as many as four million cases by the end of the year. This week, WHO lists Indonesia among Asian countries with possible endemic transmission of, or evidence of, local Zika infections, but authorities in the sprawling country of 250 million people have yet to report any recent infections. Healthcare professionals are spreading public awareness on the importance of donning protective layer to prevent accidental contamination and infections. Margma's Low reiterated rubber glove manufacturers are ready for heightened demand as hospitals across southeast Asia use more gloves as doctors and nurses carry out more rigorous blood and other bodily fluid testing for the Zika disease. He said any disease spread across big region, such as Asean, will definitely trigger high alerts. "There is a serious need to be adequately protected from the Zika spread. As such, there will be an ad hoc greater demand for medical gloves. Margma members can meet the higher demand for medical gloves." |
| Country | Malaysia , South Eastern Asia |
| Industry | Rubber |
| Entry Date | 15 Oct 2016 |
| Source | http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/09/171260/govt-manufacturers-working-raise-higher-global-usage-medical-gloves |
