Two more COVIDaction investments awarded via the Local Productions and Solutions call!
The latest investments help to meet the need for a supportive response to women and natal workers in Zambia and expand the resources needed to bolster the 3D printing sector in Nepal.
We’re excited to announce two more investments via the Local Productions and Local Solutions call — Zener Technologies and the Safe Motherhood Alliance.
Zener Technologies in Nepal has recently pivoted from making 3D printed medical equipment to other forms of manufacturing including CNC and injection moulding to meet the demand for PPE, developing designs for face shields and goggles. They also now have designs for viral transfer medium (VTM) tubes, which are scarce in Nepal, with high order requests already in place.
“There are huge possibilities brought about by this crisis if we acted wisely. The lock down and critical shortage of most needed items has directly or indirectly forced innovators and local companies to make their own, increasing the incentive for research, speedy work and a market.” — Zener Technologies
100% of its raw materials are locally sourced and it has the ability to double current production. Along with making PPE, the organisation has a strong track record of producing items needed in Nepal, such as laser cut beehives, umbilical cord clamps and disposable tweezers for medical use.
Magdalena Banasiak, Senior Innovation Adviser at FCDO, who directs the COVIDaction programme, says that investments like this are a vital part of the response to the pandemic:
“Being able to pivot a business as Zener has during this crisis is important, especially when it meets demand for scarce medical supplies.” — Magda Banasiak, FCDO
COVIDaction is supporting Zener Technologies with funding and technical assistance to expand their facilities and available machinery, and build a sterile clean room for high-grade PPE production. This will greatly increase the range of viable products they can consider, both for COVID-19 and in the future.
COVIDaction is also supporting their development of Nepal-wide ‘Web of Manufacturing’ platform to connect makers across the region, with Zener facilitating design & validation of intended products, as well as linking with our similar global initiatives.
Zener is a very exciting company to be working with and COVIDaction LPLS are looking forward to learning from them!
According to new research published in the BMJ, pregnant women seen in hospitals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are less likely to experience fever or muscle pain but they are more likely to need intensive care if they develop severe disease. It also says that pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to give birth prematurely.
As the WHO points out in its reporting on the research, pregnant women with COVID-19 and their newborns, are likely to need access to specialist care and that pregnant women in general may experience increased stress and anxiety due to pandemic.
Based in Siavonga, Zambia the Safe Motherhood Alliance is known for making baby delivery kits and biodegradable sanitary pads. COVIDaction LPLS will support it to produce 3D printed PPE masks that have been tested and approved in the UK by the Royal Academy of Engineering and in Zambia by the Zambia Bureau of Standards. Third party companies will provide the materials to manufacture the PPE. The focus of the organisation’s PPE resources is to help protect people who work on maternity wards, outreach nurses, birth assistants and midwives.
Sanitary pads are usually imported from Asia — a process that has been under strain as supply chains for products and materials have been interrupted during the pandemic. Local production support will also help boost sustainable materials use as the sanitary pads in Safe Motherhood Alliance’s programme are made from 100% natural banana tree trunk.
“Meeting the needs of mothers and medical staff is vital in so many communities while the pressure of the pandemic continues to add a strain on services. In these investments we can see businesses observing local needs and creatively shifting to meet those new requirements.” — Magda Banasiak, FCDO
Through funding and technical assistance we will be supporting the Safe Motherhood Alliance to increase their production of PPE, biodegradable sanitary pads and baby delivery kits to help solve problems that are adversely impacted by the pandemic.
“There is no shortage of technology to help women and children survive — what is missing is integrated innovation across life stages and spheres of influence to truly help them thrive.” — Safe Motherhood Alliance
Baby delivery kits are a vital resource during the pandemic lockdown and the increased risk of COVID-19 transmission in delivery facilities means that more women are facing higher risks during childbirth at this time.
Keeping things local, a production facility and warehouse in Lusaka will be the main manufacturing and distribution point. The facility will have a sterilised production space and changing rooms for employees to avoid cross-contamination. Here they will be making face masks, face shield visors and emergency baby delivery kits which are made in different sanitary conditions.
“Philanthropic, unsustainable models working in silos dominate the space meanwhile, simple, effective technology is not reaching those who need it most. These issues highlighted coupled with the onset of COVID-19 will see another surge of high maternal and neonatal mortalities as resources are diverted to fight the pandemic,” — Safe Motherhood Alliance
