Face mask inventor’s achievements inspire biography

Dr Lu addressing the attendees of the annual general meeting of the Malaysia Silk Road Society in Penang.

THE Malaysia Silk Road Society (MSRS) has published the biography of epidemiologist Dr Wu Lien-Teh, who invented the medical face mask that became the N95 respirator of today.

MSRS president Datuk Dr Cheah See Kian, who is also the author of the publications in Chinese and English, said the books were now on sale.

“We are doing our part to remember his achievements because he was the first Penangite who was not afraid of danger and went to Harbin, China, to battle rat plague.

“His stories also inspired the world today in combating Covid-19.

“To this day, everyone is still wearing the surgical masks invented by Dr Wu.

“He remains the pride of Penangites and even Malaysians to this day. We hope that history will be able to commemorate the selfless contributions of Dr Wu to humankind.

“He was the country’s unparalleled infectious disease expert,” said Dr Cheah in his speech during the annual general meeting of the Malaysia Silk Road Society in Penang.

Also present was the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Penang, Dr Lu Shiwei.

In January this year, Dr Cheah said the society had also organised the “Dr Wu Lien-Teh International Forum” both virtually and face-to-face.

He said they invited Dr Wu’s great grandniece Alison Chong Nyuen Yin, Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society president Datuk Seri Dr Anwar Fazal and honorary treasurer Clement Liang to share the life and contributions of Dr Wu then.

“Apart from promoting more academic events, we have also successfully collaborated with seven other scholars to co-author a new article to analyse the Maritime Silk Road, which is expected to be published by September this year.

“The latest publication will review the historical background of the Maritime Silk Road or One Belt One Road Initiative, as well as the importance of modern economic exchanges from a global point of view, particularly on the objectives of China proposing the One Belt One Road Initiative,” Dr Cheah added.