The University of Nairobi multidisciplinary team of engineers and doctors have developed a home grown portable ventilator.

During the demonstration session by the doctors and engineers ,The University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor, Prof Stephen Kiama congratulated the team for the hardwork to ensure that the low cost portable ventilator is in place. This demonstrates our value of care. We care for Kenyans”, he said. He added that once the machine is deployed, it will go along way in helping Kenyans with many respiratory problems long after the COVID19 is gone.

Built using an open source software from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and having secured Food and Drugs Association approvals, the locally manufactured ventilator should have an easy time getting KEBS approvals and being deployed to help patients with breathing difficulties. The ventilator which is to use and with digital inputs and LCD display has reconfigurable pressure for adults and children. It is adaptable to multiple power sources, including solar power and hence can be used in remote locations without electricity.

Prof. Fredrick Were, former Dean, School of Medicine and former Principal, College of Health Sciences, opined that such a machine will go a long way in helping health professionals save lives. Many patients die in Ambulance while on their way to hospitals due to the manual resuscitation by health professionals. “This ventilator will go a long way in saving many lives as it gets used in ambulances”, he said.