Some folks from TUP-Visayas are looking to create PPEs for medical workers in Negros using 3D printer

Folks at the Technological University of the Philippines - Visayas (TUPV) have taken an innovative step in order to help provide ample personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers in Negros.

With the use of a 3D printer, the group is planning to create up to 250 frames for face shields a day. 



A professor at TUPV, Engr. Aljo Habaradas, shared a video of how the 3D printer creates a set of identical frames.

Each piece is to be fastened with an acetate film before being distributed to health workers in Negros, as seen in this photo shared by Jan Guanzon.

According to Guanzon, they are setting up more 3D printers to be able to produce more frames for face shields. 

Among the very many issues that the Philippines is facing against COVID-19 is the depleting number of medical supplies and PPEs for medical frontliners.

Very early on, the Philippine General Hospital asked for donations, preferrably in kind so they can use them ASAP, as the Lung Center of the Philippines. A doctor who became a PUI after becoming more exposed to the virus took to social media to raise awareness and ask help for his fellow doctors in need of more PPEs.  

The public has been responsive. The GMA Kapuso Foundation has launched "Labanan ang COVID-19" campaign to raise funds to be used to purchase face masks, rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizers, and gloves for medical workers of public government hospitals and frontliners at the border points. 

Meanwhile, interns at the Ateneo Medical School have been able to produce PPEs for frontliners against COVID-19. 

?Several hospitals have raised concern over the "alarming" number of doctors and medical staff getting infected by the disease and the looming shortage of facilities to attend to the patients.

The number of confirmed cases of  coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines has reached 501 as of Tuesday morning, along with 33 deaths. — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News