By Armando Fenequito Jr.
DAVAO CITY – The DigiHub-Davao Fabrication Laboratory (DigiHub FabLab Davao) is now producing face shields to address its shortage for use of medical frontliners amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis in the country.
(DIGIHUB FABLAB DAVAO / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
In statement released by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 11, the face shields are made of filament or acetate, polylactic acid plastic, and are produced through the use of 3D printing and laser cutting machines at the fabrication laboratory facility located inside University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) Obrero campus.
It stated the DigiHub FabLab Davao has produced a total of 200 pieces of face shields and turned over 25 pieces to the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City, 10 pieces to the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Tagum City. This shall be used by health workers considered as frontliners in the fight against COVID-19, as of March 26.
The statement said DigiHub team is targeting to supply face shields to all medical frontliners from government and private hospitals, Doctors to the Barrio (DTTB) and other medical practitioners in Davao region.
Apart from the face shields, the team is also fabricating cotton swab cover equipment and isolation/intubation boxes which are used for treating patients infected with COVID-19 and provide additional protection for the medical practitioners. Three intubation boxes were already turned over to SPMC.
It said the initiative was being undertaken through the joint efforts of the USEP, DOST 11 and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11, in collaboration with other fabrication laboratories in the country, medical practitioners and hobbyists.
The DigiHub FabLab Davao is also calling out for donation for the materials will be used for production of protective equipment such as acetate or PVC clear sheets, 3D printer filament, rubberbands or garters for face shields, acrylic sheet, clear adhesive epoxy, blind rivets and aluminum angle bar for intubation boxes.