Oman’s first N95 mask achieves global recognition

MUSCAT: The first locally produced surgical masks has achieved a rare recognition.

The Trusta Surgical Mask has achieved now Virus Filtration Efficiency (VFE) rating of 97 per cent. This is in addition to the Particles Filtration Efficiency (PFE) 98 per cent and Bacteria Filtration Efficiency (BFE) 99 per cent.

The coveted recognition was awarded by Intertek Testing Services and Quality Assurance, UK, the total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide after a labyrinth process of examinations. The tests were done at its Guangzhou office.

Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) test determines the filtration efficiency by comparing the bacterial control counts to test article effluent counts whereas although the Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) test follows the same procedure as BFE, the challenge organism used is different and the bacteriophage phiX174.

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Al Farsi National Enterprises LLC, the leading Omani manufacturer and supplier of medical equipment to government and private hospitals based in Al Misfah Industrial Area has been approved to produce masks and launched Oman’s first tie-type mask and N95 respirator masks in 2020 when the world needed it the most.

“We are an Omani company supplying infection prevention and control supplies for hospitals for over 10 years. The initial scarcity of PPE items was the driving force behind such a 100 per cent Omani manufacturing facility to make surgical masks and healthcare respirators and more than 25 Omanis can look forward to work with us once we are fully operational’’, Issam al Farsi, Chairman of Al Farsi National Enterprises told the Observer.

Made in Oman by Omanis for Omanis and others, Trusta surgical masks meet high standards of filtration BFE (99 per cent Bacterial Filtration Efficiency) meltblown filter media for best filtration rating and breathability.

“We are happy to have been recognised as this is an ambitious Omani project that aimed to transform the country from an importer to an exporter of surgical masks and N95 respirators’’, Saju George, Managing Director.

This mask manufacturing unit, a first in the country, plans to employ more than 100 Omani staff members as the production and export increase depending upon the demand, according to Al Farsi.