Tripura Doctor Develops Low-Cost PPE Face Shield to Aid Frontline Warriors

Agartala, May 5, 2020:

At a time when the entire state is grappling with concerns of COVID-19, Dr Arkadip Chaudhury, a doctor posted at Tripura Medical College and BRAM hospital has come up with an affordable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) face-shield to protect the frontline warriors from contracting the contagion.

Chaudhury, who is a member of the Tripura Medical College’s COVID task force said that the motive of the project is to enhance availability of equipment so that frontline workers can have access to the protective equipment.

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“Now, the central government is issuing guideline after guideline in order to ensure use of protective equipment. Our team has attempted to conceptualize an idea of making PPE face shields because the supply of protective equipment is limited and the stock will start to shrink", he told Inside Northeast.

Giving details about his new endeavor, the Tripura doctor said, “The design that we have developed in our hospital will cost Rs 40 without GST which is competitively much cheaper than the other products available in the market. The face shields that are available in the market will cost between Rs 60-70. If you chose to buy something that is of good quality, they will charge you more than Rs 100 without GST. Thus, in this situation, if we can upscale production, it will highly benefit the state in enhancing availability of such kits."

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Being a crucial portion of the PPE, he added, face shields can protect the entire face from exposure to microbes.

"People engaged in emergency services such as doctors, security personnel and guards engaged in crowd management, media professionals reporting from the ground, frontline workers of AMC and cleaning staff, everyone can use this. And, most importantly, due to its durability and hygiene, none have to rely on experts. It can be done in your homes with simple soap and sanitizer", Chaudhury told us.

Chaudhury also stressed on its utility saying that it was far more flexible to use in comparison to masks. “Masks are very irritating and some people are compelled by their habit to pull out masks while coughing or sneezing; the face shield is far more comfortable in this way. Moreover, the face shield protects from invisible micro organisms too”, Chaudhury said.

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