While coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the globe and raise the cases of the affected people, the shortage of ventilators in Pakistan and every other country rises. However, during these tough times, a private engineering firm in Pakistan has found an innovative solution, which would allow several patients to use just one ventilator simultaneously.
A Lahore-based firm Alpha Rubber and Plastic Works manufactures auto parts, has formulated a splitter that attaches to the ventilator hoses and supplies oxygen to two to four patients at once and may be used several times.
Head of the private firm, Osama Usman stated that ‘Plan 9’ of Punjab IT Board of (PITB) had reached out to them to develop the connector using the 3D printer prototype.
He added that the part was originally being manufactured by the PITB using the 3D printer technology. Osama also said that despite facing a lot of obstacles due to the prevailing lockdown in the state, his firm manufactured it on an emergency purpose only in 72 hours.
“Now we are manufacturing 1,000 ventilator connectors daily which is being supplied to various government and private hospitals in Punjab,” he further told.
Meanwhile, Hammad Khalique, who is head of business development at Plan 9, also stated that health specialists and experts have expressed questions over the safety and cogency of sharing ventilators.
He said the appliance should only be used in an emergency situation because the requirement of oxygen by a patient leans on his/ her age and a medical condition which is time-consuming and requires a lot of effort.
“Now we are manufacturing 1,000 ventilator connectors daily which is being supplied to various government and private hospitals in Punjab,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hammad Khalique, who is head of business development at Plan 9, said that health experts and professionals have expressed questions over the safety and effectiveness of sharing ventilators.
“Keeping in mind worst-case scenario, we authorized its development,” he said, adding that if need be this method could be used given the fact that the number of ventilators in the region is very low.
The development of the connector has made Pakistan only the second country to have this technology after the United States which is worth applauding.
Osama said he is providing splitters to the hospitals free of charge and would supply this to the entire country if he was approached.
“I can supply connectors to the entire country and world free of charge,” he added.
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