Introducing the first Chinese and Malaysian to be nominated for The Nobel Prize in Medicine, Dr. Wu Lien-Teh. Little of us have known about him but what he did has saved thousands of lives and the Covid-19 crisis proved his invention to be useful.

Photo Source: Wu Lien Teh Society

Without him, we may not have any face masks today to keep us safe and healthy.

Born in 1879 as a Penangite, he was a smart and diligent person in pursuing his studies in the medical field. After acquiring the Queen's Scholarship, he was also the first medical student of Chinese descent to be able to study at the University of Cambridge in  England.

After graduation, Dr. Wu came back to Penang and became a vocal commentator on social issues at the time and also helped to treat opium patients as well. The China government then saw his potential in the medical field and sent him an invitation to take the post as the Vice-Director of the Imperial Army Medical College in Tientsin.

With utmost gratitude, he gladly accepted it.

Photo Source: SS Quah Blogspot

In 1910, an unknown disease with a fatality rate of 99.9% broke out and killed 60,000 lives in 4 months. Dr. Wu was given instructions to travel to Harbin so that he would have to be at the front line facing the threat. It turns out to be a pneumonic plague pandemic and Dr. Wu was able to invent his own concept of the face mask to protect himself from the disease and also helped the people at the heart of the pandemic. 

Photo Source: Sixth Tone

If it wasn't because of his dedication and contribution to the medical field, we may not even stand a chance against the worldwide crisis that we are facing now.

We should be grateful for him and we as Malaysians should be proud that we have such a hero from our country.

Cover Photo: South China Morning Post || Sixth Tone || Wu Lian Teh Society