Coronavirus outbreak: ISRO designing ventilators that can work without power
What's the story
In a bid to support Indian healthcare in light of the coronavirus crisis, ISRO has agreed to help with the production of ventilators, oxygen canisters, and other supplies. According to a top official, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, a key unit of the space agency, is taking up these activities and putting its main work on hold to combat the life-threatening pandemic. Here's more.
Task #1
Easy to use ventilators to be developed
S. Somanath, the director of VSSC, recently confirmed that their teams are actively working on a new, easy-to-use design for ventilators. "We are designing ventilators that are different from what is already there. We are designing ventilators that can be operated in a simple manner and when [the] power supply is not there," he said while speaking to IANS.
Caveat
However, only design will be handled by VSSC
The development of easy-to-use ventilators, that can work without power, would be handy for healthcare workers, especially considering the global shortage of the equipment. However, Somanath has emphasized that the VSSC team is only working to get the design for the machine ready and the production/manufacturing side of things will be handled by the industries (and not the agency).
Other supplies
Other critical supplies, however, are being manufactured
Along with the work on ventilators, Somanath also said that they are working to produce masks, sanitizer, and oxygen canisters for healthcare workers. "We are making sanitizers for captive and also for [the] use of others. We have made over 1,000 liters," he told the outlet, while adding that "similarly, masks are [being] made by employee societies."
Employee safety
VSSC staff safe, with only critical workers on site
In the same conversation, Somanath said that their entire staff is safe, and the designing and development of rockets, which is their primary work, has been put on hold for now. "Our communication and computer networks are safe and secure and those who can work from home are working from home while critical operations are taken care of by deploying necessary staff," he added.
Concern
Growing concerns over India's healthcare system
The support from ISRO comes as concerns continue to grow over India's ability to handle a major outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease. Over the last few weeks, several healthcare workers have complained about the shortage of critical medical supplies, starting from masks and personal protective equipment to ventilators, which are required to provide breathing support to critical patients.
Other work
Others also helping with medical equipment production
In addition to ISRO, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra Group are also working to boost the production of ventilators in India. To note, ICMR predicts that hospitals would need ventilators on the scale of thousands if the situation grows worse, like in the US and Italy. Currently, India has 1,071 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with at least 29 deaths across different states.