Strategic collaboration of MOH, agencies to battle COVID-19 - Dr Adham Baba

In announcing the Health Engineering Innovation Strategic Collaboration here today, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said MOH welcomed the generation of ideas to find the best methods and approaches in modernising technology in the medical sector.

Today, three innovations were presented and they are a prototype ventilator with 3D printing capability, a prototype splitter kit for ventilator as well as a field hybrid ICU (FHyICU).

"MOH Engineering Services Division had explored an alternative method to produce a ventilator with advanced 3D medical printing capability in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and with the cooperation of the Malaysian Armed Forces, have produced its first prototype," he said at a Health Engineering Innovation Strategic Collaboration media briefing here today.

Dr Adham said the prototype would be undergoing a full test by SIRIM so that it could function to support as a basic respiratory aid for COVID-19 patients.

The objective of the 3D printing prototype ventilator, is to produce a low-cost ventilator with 3D printing capability and using minimal hardware to support the basic need of a COVID-19 patient if infection in the country reaches a critical level.

The development of a prototype splitter kit, would enable a ventilator to be used by two patients as breathing support for COVID-19 patients while ensuring no cross infection.

For FHyICU, it is the construction of a cost effective and easy to build ICU and isolation ward at the required locations.

The technological collaboration with UEM Edgenta Berhad can accommodate 10 beds and measures 20.88 metres x 6.50 metres x 3 metres (ceiling height).

Based on the concept of an emergency situation and a field hospital ICU, it is complete with a donning room, linen store, nurse station, patient area, toilet, doffing room, shower, consumables room and a dirty room.

Meanwhile, Dr Adham said the smart collaboration between MOH Engineering Services Division and various government agencies would harness local and international expertise to develop health technology in Malaysia.

This, he said was in line with the establishment of a centre of excellence in biomedical engineering at MOH and its health facilities.

"It is hoped the exciting products of this initial cooperation I shared with you today would be disseminated for all to know," he said.

In this regard, he said in the battle to break to the COVID-19 chain, the nation is proud of the sacrifice of frontliners from MOH and all agencies involved to ensure the country is safe from the pandemic.

Dr Adham reminded the people to stay at home as part of the fight to avoid COVID-19 infection.

"It is vital the nation gets the cooperation of all parties to break the COVID-19 chain," he said.