Mass Production of Ventilators to Begin in Kenya

Kenya is set to begin the mass production of ventilators to aid in the fight against COVID-19 after the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) unveiled the prototype of the locally developed ventilator.

KAM reports that the ventilator, dubbed PumuaIshi 2.0, can operate continuously for up to four hours without power.

According to the association’s automotive sector chairman, Niraj Hirani, when mass production of ventilators begins in the next two to four weeks, the country will be able to produce 100 pieces daily, and 500 weekly.

The main focus of PumuaIshi 2.0 is to provide intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV). This is the process of manually ventilating a patient exhibiting a brief stop of respiration as well as one who has difficulties in breathing.

Daily Nation quotes Ashit Shah, an expert on ventilators 

Other institutions that will take part in the mass production include Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), Kenyatta University, and the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute.

African Govts Step Up the Fight against COVID-19

Coronavirus: What You Need to Know to Get Through These Volatile Financial Times