Mumbai: To meet the ventilator shortage, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd revealed an indigenously developed prototype of bag valve mask, commonly known as an Ambu (artificial manual-breathing unit) bag. This would cost less than ₹7,500.
The ambu bag is a self-inflating device used to help patients with breathing issues.
The prototype was developed within 48 hours at the automaker’s Kandivali (Mumbai) and Igatpuri (Nashik) manufacturing plants.
Chairman Anand Mahindra called the development a game-changer. “We are simultaneously working with an indigenous maker of ICU ventilators. These are sophisticated machines costing ₹5-10 lakh. This device is an interim lifesaver and the team estimates that it will cost below ₹7,500,” Mahindra said in a tweet.
Mahindra is collaborating with specialists to make it fit for the market. The company’s MD Pawan Goenka is hoping the prototype will be ready for approval within three more days. Once approved, manufacturing can begin.
