Medical supplies donated by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation will help in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus in four Southeast Asian countries, with more to follow. Photo: DPA
Alibaba founder Jack Ma has donated Covid-19 test kits, face masks and protective gear sets to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, as Southeast Asian nations brace for a domestic surge in coronavirus infections.
The Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation announced a joint donation of 2 million masks, 150,000 test kits, 20,000 sets of protective gear and 20,000 face shields to the four countries.
“More help to other Asian nations is on the way,” the Jack Ma Foundation tweeted.
The two foundations last week donated 500,000 test kits and 1 million masks to the United States, following donations of surgical masks to Japan and South Korea. Test kits and masks were sent to Italy, Belgium and Spain earlier this month. The foundations have also committed to support all African nations in their fight against the coronavirus.
Other Chinese tech companies including smartphone maker Oppo and its competitor Xiaomi have also donated masks and other equipment to countries affected by the outbreak.
The donations came as coronavirus cases rapidly increased in Southeast Asia.
Malaysia reported 110 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, with the total number of cases increasing to 900. Most of the new cases were linked to a religious gathering at a mosque attended by 16,000 people, the country’s health ministry said.
A total of 82 new cases were announced on Thursday in Indonesia, bringing the total cases to 309. It has recorded 25 deaths, the highest in Southeast Asia. President Joko Widodo has also raised concern about insufficient test kits in one of the world’s most populous nations.
The Philippines has stopped issuing visas to all foreigners while quarantining its capital Manila. It has recorded 217 infections and 17 deaths.
Thailand has had a total of 322 cases with one death. Bars, schools and stadiums in Bangkok and its perimeter are closed until the end of March in an effort to contain the virus.
Countries in Southeast Asia have faced challenges of insufficient and inaccessible test kits in their battle to contain the spread of the virus.
Thailand offers free tests for those who have travelled to foreign countries with infection and those who have contacted infected people or people with risks. The fee for the Covid-19 test at a handful of government and private hospitals in Thailand starts at 3,000 baht (US$92).
Thailand’s Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Ma spoke with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on the phone on Thursday about donations and other support.
Alibaba founder Jack Ma, whose foundation has donated face masks and other medical equipment to numerous countries battling the coronavirus outbreak. Photo: Reuters
Tawee Chotpitayasunondh, senior medical consultant for the health ministry, said the donations were appreciated during these times of uncertainty as “we cannot exactly confirm how bad the situation would get in the future”.
The Thai public has also welcomed the donations. One posted on Alibaba’s Facebook page: “Appreciate your assistance from Thailand but it will be very helpful if you can send the masks directly to the hospital better than through the government.”
On Friday, Malaysia was set to receive 100,000 face masks from the China-Asia Economic Development Association, and will receive 3,500 more test kits next week. This came after the Chinese embassy in Malaysia sent 5,000 masks and 10,000 face shields to Sungai Buloh hospital, where many patients who have tested positive for the Covid-19 disease caused by the virus are being treated.
Malaysia and China enjoy close bilateral relations, and Malaysia donated face masks and other medical supplies to China when the coronavirus outbreak started.
The logo of Alibaba Group is seen at the company's headquarters in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China. Photo: Reuters
Alibaba opened a Malaysia office in June 2018 and houses a major logistics hub close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Ma met Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s prime minister at the time, when he visited the Alibaba Group’s headquarters in Hangzhou in August that year.
Alibaba Group owns the South China Morning Post.
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This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Fearful nations sent masks by Jack Ma
