Coronavirus: Railways, IIT Bring Innovative Solutions To Protect Healthcare Workers

Even though the country is capable of acquiring medical equipment, there is a lack of equipment available in the market, this is a growing cause for concern. Now Indian Railways and IIT have come to the rescue with homegrown alternatives.

Big companies too are joining into to help create medical equipment. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: One of the biggest concerns during the Coronavirus pandemic equipment for healthcare workers. Even though the country is capable of acquiring medical equipment, there is a lack of equipment available in the market, this is a growing cause for concern as the number of positive COVID-19 cases has risen to 5,100. Panic buying has led ordinary citizens to buy surgical masks & N95 masks which are essential for healthcare providers creating a more severe shortage. The Supreme Court on Wednesday passed a slew of interim directions for the safety of healthcare personnel, the courts also directed the Ministry of Health to ensure the availability of equipment and gear for the healthcare workers so that they are able to do their work without any hindrance in the fight against Coronavirus. The Indian Railways jumped to help and cover the dearth the equipment by creating PPE or Personal Protection Equipment which is overall that will cover paramedics and healthcare personnel while they are working. The DRDO or the Defence Research and Development Organisation has approved the design created by Indian Railways. Now the Indian Railways is set to make 1000 PPEs a day from its 17 workshops. The workshops also create hand sanitizers and face masks. Railways are also considering to supply 50 percent of the PPE garment to other medical professionals of the country. An estimated number of 1.5 crores of PPE will be required by June to help the professionals. Aside from this, the Indian Railways also created low costs ventilators, named ‘Jevan’ the ventilator is made with indigenous technology and will cost around Rs. 10000. They are currently awaiting approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). IIT-Roorkee with the AIIMS – Rishikesh created Prana-Vayu another low-cost portable ventilator, which was present to 450 industries for mass production. The ventilator will cost Rs. 25000 in production. Big companies like Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Hyundai etc. too are joining into to help create medical equipment especially rapidly increase the production of ventilators. In other efforts, Start Up India and DPIIT have started a competition to find innovative solutions to fight against COVID-19. The solutions will also be published on the Invest India Business Immunity Platform, which is an interactive resource for investors, the business community, and other stakeholders to access all relevant information about India's fight against COVID-19. Around the world, big companies are joining into creating protective gear for medical professionals. Apple, Ford, Nike and many fashion brands like Louis Vuitton are manufacturing and supplying different gears like plastic face shields, face masks and PPEs.