Daijiworld Media Network - Dharwad (MS)

Dharwad, Apr 5: Lecturers of IIT in the city have come to the help of doctors and health professionals of KIMS hospital, who are involved in the treatment of coronavirus patients, and prepared more than 500 face gear covering the entire face.

These face protective gear is prepared as per the guidelines of WHO is a part of the PPE. This acts as a blocking wall against the droplets that are put out by the COVID-19 patients through cough or sneeze. This can be worn on the spectacles and face mask by the health professionals.

Giving details of the face protection gear, Prof M Somashekhar of mechanical engineering department of IIT Dharwad said, "We came to know through district administration that face cover is required in KIMS hospital for health professionals who are treating COVID-19 infected patients. We prepared some models using 3D technology and sent the same for the doctors for approval. Suitable ones among the samples were selected by the doctors.

"The PPE that was available with the health professionals at KIMS was not of good quality. There was a possibility of a virus entering their body. When we did research in this regard, this equipment got improved. KIMS doctors have appreciated the quality of this protective gear."

Prof Suryaprakash, another professor of the same department said, "We have prepared this face protective gear using the easily available material. We have got demand for the same from Belagavi, Kalaburagi districts and other hospitals also. Right now we have prepared 500 numbers. It is not possible to supply these as per the demand now. The design of this face protection gear is prepared separately. It is possible to manufacture this on a large scale. It is possible for local manufacturers to study the design and manufacture the same."