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Oman now produces its own N95, surgical masks

20 Sep 2020 By ANIRBAN RAY

Oman has started its first-ever commercial production of N95 and surgical masks to cater to the growing need of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the sultanate. 

The development is another step towards self-reliance and limit dependence on other countries for critical healthcare equipment. 

Situated in Misfah Industrial Area, Al Farsi National Enterprises’ factory is the first in Oman to produce N95 masks. Branded Trusta, the N95 masks meet the United States federal agency National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s testing standards verified by independent laboratories. 

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Speaking about the masks, Issam al Farsi, chairman of Al Farsi National Enterprises, said, “We are an Omani company supplying infection prevention and control supplies to hospitals for over ten years. With this venture, we have expanded our activities to include manufacturing of critical PPE for healthcare institutions in Oman.”

With the opening of this new mask making facility, Oman has become only the second country in the GCC to have a N95 respirator production unit, he added. 

The name Trusta was chosen to reflect confidence in the quality of Omani products, Farsi informed. 

“We are striving to achieve the government’s directions of localisation of industry and products.”

The masks have two filters giving it additional safety. The response to the Trusta masks has been good both in and outside the country and shipments dispatched to Qatar. Germany, UK and India have also placed orders for the masks. 

The facility currently has Omanisation rate of over 70 per cent with plans to recruit ten additional nationals to its staff strength of 15 as demand picks up. The facility currently produces 2.5mn surgical and N95 masks every month. 

“Our 20,000sq ft facility has dedicated assembly lines for N95 respirators, ear loop masks and tie-on masks. We will also start a surgical instrument production line next month,” said Saju George, managing director of Al Farsi National Enterprises. 

“We work closely with the Ministry of Health for user feedback and product improvements.” 

The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Al Khuwayr.

 

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