JOHOR BARU: The state government welcomes contributions of face and nose masks type R95 from any party, including other state governments and no-governmental organisations.
State Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said this was because there was a shortage of 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,” he said after visiting the Disaster Aid Management Committee Operations Centre at Menara Aqabah, Pasir Gudang Municipal Council, here, today.
“So, if other state governments want to help by contributing R95, we (the Johor government) welcome them.”
It was reported yesterday that the face masks were in high demand in pharmacies in Pasir Gudang, and many outlets were running out of them.
Residents are now opting for N95 masks.
Dr Sahruddin said he was informed that the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) had contributed face masks yesterday.
“Workers in the industrial sector in Pasir Gudang do not face any problems as their employers had provided them with face masks,” he said.
Dr Sahruddin said 780 people were referred to the early treatment centre at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council Indoor Stadium from 6pm to midnight yesterday.
Dr Sahruddin said only 202 of them were referred for follow-up treatment at Sultanah Aminah Hospital and Sultan Ismail Hospital, with 113 warded.
He said a total of 3,555 people had received early treatment after they were affected by toxic fumes due to the illegal dumping of toxic chemicals in Sungai Kim Kim that was reported on March 7.
He said 531 victims who had received treatment at the two hospitals earlier had been allowed to go home.