The new COVID-19 is on the rise around the world, sickening and killing individuals by thousands. Individuals in Pakistan are very scared. And honestly so since Pakistan’s shabby health care would crash if the coronavirus cases rise quickly as it has occurred in Europe specifically in Iran and Italy.
In the 2 nations, most COVID-19 victims are dying because of a lack of air conditioners. During this disheartening situation, a team of aides is giving light of optimism. Pakistan Against COVID19-Volunteers (PAC-V), is a team created less than one week ago. It is utilizing additive manufacturing to produce all the needed safety and medical gears. This includes ventilators to handle the fatal contagion.
The team focuses on making cheap air conditioners, respiratory valves, and others indigenously at full scale but with a short period. The additive manufacturing procedure creates a 3-dimensional thing from a computer-aided print model usually by effectively including material sheet by sheet. That is the reason it is referred to us 3D printing.
“Our first 3D ventilator prototype will be ready for testing in 10 days. And it could be out within a fortnight,” says Dr. Bilal Siddiqui, the initiative lead. “We are also 3D printing a splitter which would allow medics to use one vent to ventilate up to four patients,” he added. He also said that Pakistan Air Force has now volunteered to field-experiment this splitter.
However, a fan is not everything PAC-V is dealing with. “The 3D printed ventilator is one of many projects our group is developing,” explained Dr. Siddiqui. Dr. Siddiqui is a mechanical expert by profession. “We are also developing a non-contact thermometer to check temperatures of coronavirus patients,” Dr. Siddiqui added.
Coronavirus is a very contagious illness that specifically places healthcare workers in danger. “The Chinese-made non-contact thermometer was available in the market at Rs3,500 before the viral outbreak. Now its price has shot up to Rs35,000 apiece,” states Dr. Siddiqui, he has degrees in electrical engineering and aerospace.
Also, Dr. Siddiqui said this: “Our non-contact thermometer will be much more affordable. We have done its lab test and sent it to the Punjab Health Department for field testing.” Further, he said that the volunteers of his team have as well regionally sketched hazmat suits, face shields, and facemasks to shield those who get into contact with coronavirus victims. This is specifically the healthcare provider. He also said that their hazmat suit is presently in the field testing stage.
Concerning the PAC-V, he said that it consists of biomedical experts, doctors, academics, engineers, resource mobilizers, diaspora, and other small teams. “It started off as a group of five volunteers five days ago, but now its membership is in hundreds,” he stated while speaking about the tremendous reaction he has received.
“We started field activity with a meager amount of Rs10,000, but within two nights Rs300,000 were pitched in,” said Dr. Siddiqui. “We got in touch with doctors at top hospitals in Pakistan, including Aga Khan Hospital, Liaquat National Hospital and Indus Hospital in Karachi and Shifa International in Islamabad before launching the initiative.”
