Odisha Fights Corona: ITI Berhampur Develops Low-Cost ‘Aerosol Box’ Shield For Doctors

Berhampur: The Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Behrampur has developed an aerosol box for protecting doctors and medical staff treating COVID-19 patients who are placed on ventilator.

Explaining about the aerosol box, ITI Principal Rajat Kumar Panigrahy said the device is put over the head of the patient when being put on ventilator.

“When medical professionals are in the vicinity of COVID-19 patients, they are exposed to the virus directly and become highly vulnerable. The transparent aerosol box, however, significantly reduces the exposure of the medical professionals to the virus,” Panigrahy was quoted as saying by PTI.

The principal said the team of researchers has used transparent acrylic sheets and laser cutting machines to developed two such boxes on a pilot basis and waiting for the administration’s approval for more orders.

Panigrahy informed that the institute has incurred only Rs 3,000 to develop the protective gear, which is priced at Rs 10,000 in the market.

Moreover, the institute will also provide training to other ITIs across the country on April 30 via video conferencing for making such equipment, he added.

The institute has also prepared other protective devices like face shield which will completely cover the face, eye and neck, the principal said.