It will now be possible to produce low-cost ventilators in Uganda, thanks to researchers from the University of Makerere. The move comes after it was determined that the country had only 55 ventilators.
Coronavirus cases in Africa are steadily rising with more than 13,000 cases detected and 701 people succumbing to the virus. Countries in Africa are now preparing for the impact at varying degrees as they confront the reality of the new virus in the continent.
Testing kits
Uganda, a country with only 53 cases with zero cases of succumbed victims, has already implemented a total lockdown in the country. The government has also held numerous press conferences urging citizens to observe the lockdown and maintain social distance if they want to defeat the pandemic.
However, it is their scientific work that has been impressive. The University of Makerere has taken the mantle as a leading scientific institution in the region, working on solutions to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
The university started by announcing a breakthrough in the development of rapid testing kits for coronavirus. The University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, announced the achievement in a tweet saying the department of pathology had successfully created the tests.
I thank Dr. Misaki Wayengera and his team at the Makerere University Department of Pathology for the initiative to develop a rapid testing kit for Coronavirus. This is commendable given the devastation caused by COVID19. Makerere is proud to serve humanity. pic.twitter.com/RGqs5USOXB
— Barnabas Nawangwe (@ProfNawangwe) April 4, 2020
These rapid tests will help ramp up the testing of the coronavirus in the country. The country has only conducted 3,300 tests so far, but it is determined to increase its testing capacity.
Production of low-cost ventilators
The University also announced that in partnership with Kiira Motors Corporation under the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation had been able to create a low-cost ventilator to address the shortage of the item in the country.
The development of these ventilators will increase the stockpile available in the country, of only 55 functioning ventilators. Uganda, with a population of slightly over 40 million people, is in dire need of these life support systems which currently stands at about 1.3 for every million people. The manufacturing of low-cost ventilators, therefore, will address the shortage and help the country to better deal with the crisis.
Allan Muhumuza, the business development manager at Kiira Motors, said he recognizes the challenges a low-income country such as Uganda was up against. The high global demand for ventilators means it will be harder for Uganda to negotiate better pricing. The ventilators, which currently cost about $25,000, are expensive to acquire in the international.
Therefore, the partnership between the university and the company will help offset the numbers required to address the rising number of patients requiring the life-saving machine. The move has also placed Uganda as one of the best-prepared countries across the region.
Featured image: University of Makere Illustration
