PUNE: In the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Pabal-based Design Innovation Centre (DIC), a spoke centre of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), has developed ‘face protection cover’ for health service providers and policemen.
The centre has adopted the design from an open-source (internet) and had started manufacturing 15 days ago, informed SPPU DIC Director Arvind Shaligram.
“So far, 500 such masks have been produced and distributed at primary healthcare centres in and around Pabal, a village in Shirur taluka and villages in Rajgurunagar,” said Shaligram.
Around five students at the centre with the help of local people are developing these protection covers of transparent glasses.
“Efforts are to produce more 3,500 protection covers,” said Yogesh Kulkarni, Director of Pabal Centre. Shaligram also informed that with adequate raw material and workforce, about 500-1000 face protection covers could be manufactured in a day.
“The manufacturing of these covers can be scaled up as per the requirements and demands. Primarily, it will be distributed in and around those villages, and if required in the Pune city as well. One of the problems faced is the availability of raw materials and its transport to the centre. We are trying to seek all necessary permission to avail of raw materials. Maybe, in the next four-five days, more protection covers will be made,” Shaligram said.
60,000 NSS Students to join hands
SSPU is doing more in bid to battle the pandemic. About 60,000 National Service Scheme (NSS) students of SPPU joined hands with government officials to provide door-to-door services in Pune, Ahmednagar and Nashik districts amidst the coronavirus lockdown.
NSS is a voluntary association of young students in Universities and colleges, working with an aim at developing a student’s personality through community service. With the nation under lockdown, these volunteers will help the government to deliver the essential items to the people at their doorstep.
Each student will adopt ten families in respective districts, ultimately reaching out to a total of six lakh families in Pune, Ahmednagar and Nashik districts.
The students have been instructed to maintain social distancing while performing their duties. However, at present, each student will adopt ten families and survey their requirements. With the help of local government bodies or police, they can make sure they get the essential services.
Globally, the infected count is over 1.4 million, with over 82,000 reported deaths. In India, the infected count is touching the 5,400-mark with almost 90 per cent cases still active. Maharashtra is the worst-affected state with over 1,000 cases.
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