University of the Philippines scientists and engineers are creating ventilators and valve splitters to help COVID-19 patients breathe more easily.
UP National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) scientists were reported to be developing the affordable ventilators.
Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a phone interview with DZMM on April 1, 2020, that UP-NIH scientists are now creating the ventilators.
“Meron ho tayo ngayon na parang locally-produced kung saan gumagawa po ang UP-NIH but I don’t like to disclose it yet. Hindi pa ho tapos. I think matatapos na sila. Hopefully kapag lumabas na itong pinag-aralan nila na ito at ginagawa makakuha na tayo ng marami at mas mura po ito,” Vergeire disclosed.
Vergeire said that although there are already 1,263 ventilators across the country, with 163 in the NCR, these are not enough.
Meantime, the UP Los Baños (UPLB) Industrial Engineering Department reported on March 30 that they are now printing prototypes of Venturi’s valve and ventilator splitters and caps for testing and custom fitting for ventilators. These will help hospitals increase their capacity to help COVID 19 patients.
The UPLB engineers said the concept is based on the work of Canadian Dr. Alain Gauthier and the experiences of doctors in Italy. The custom fitting of these designs are being done with consultation of doctors within Region IV-A CALABARZON.
The state university has been spearheading the research development of various devices and platforms to help address the country’s needs at this time of global health emergency. The UP-NIH had also developed the country’s first COVID-19 test kits which are being manufactured by the UP Manila startup company, Manila HealthTek Inc.
The UP also developed the RxBox vital signs monitor that allows doctors to reduce contact while still monitoring COVID-19 patients.
UP Diliman engineers are also developing UV Cleaning Chamber for PPEs.
The Bayanihan Na! UP-PGH COVID-19 Operations Center Hotline 155-200 was opened March 30, 2020, to answer questions related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from patients as well as donors and volunteers.
SEND CHEERS to more research output from the University of the Philippines that help the country address the needs of COVID-19 patients.
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