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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - A number of 3D printers in George are printing full-time during lockdown in an effort to supply all local health care workers with protective visors.
It is an endeavour born from the wish of a local doctor to assist her colleagues in the medical community amid a critical worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Dr Karmelle van Rensburg, local anaesthesiologist, in association with the George Narkose Groep (Anaesthesia Group), came up with the initiative to donate at least 1 000 full-face visors to the health care providers of George.
The Narkose Groep approached Mediclinic with their idea and with the support of the George Specialists Association, where members clubbed in to provide funding, production started three weeks ago.
The 3D-printed visor bands are being manufactured at Jabiru, a local fibreglass aircraft production company at George Airport, and at iWeathar, a local weather station production company.
Full-face visors which have been manufactured through the initiative of the George Narkose Groep. Mediclinic theatre staff, back from left: Susan Kitching, Dr Tarina Lourens, Arina Ackerman, Allistair Christians and Ansie Labschagne. Front: Nadia Swart, Maria Uys, Dr Karmelle van Rensburg, Suzette Acker and Nathan Plaatjies.
Time the biggest challenge
Van Rensburg says major centres such as Johannesburg and Cape Town have an almost endless supply of resources, relatively speaking, when it comes to manufacturing capacity and all of the industries that are available to source supplies.
"When it comes to a small town like George, resources are not so bountiful. Our biggest challenge is time. The current demand for visors exceeds our supply rate. We aim to have the bulk of the printing done before lockdown is lifted, as thereafter iWeathar would have to resume their normal printing work. Their 10 printers are currently being utilised 24 hours a day to print visors," says Van Rensburg.
Jabiru has only one printer, but has ordered another, and Van Rensburg has also ordered one for herself to help with production. They have been printing 35 visors per day, but with the two new printers to arrive from Johannesburg this week, production will be upped to 45 per day.
"After lockdown, Jabiru and I will continue printing, although it will be at a much slower pace."
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Donations enable initiative to go ahead
Van Rensburg says they are grateful for the generosity of people and businesses from the small George community. She thanked Diskonto for donating 1 000 transparencies and providing an industrial paper punch needed in the manufacturing process. Rubberman donated 200 metres of surgical tubing to make straps, and a women's sewing group assisted in sewing button holes in the fabric straps.
"The biggest thank you is to Jabiru and iWeathar for their time given towards this initiative and to all the private doctors who assisted with funding."
The need for visors
At Mediclinic about 500 visors are needed and at the George Provincial Hospital over 650. The General Practitioners Association has ordered 140 and the Mediclinic radiological department 100.
"Health care workers are at high risk of infection with the new coronavirus and a visor provides an extra barrier over a mask and goggles or one's glasses. It just gives that extra peace of mind when a health care worker enters a high-risk area. Health care workers touch many surfaces in their line of duty and the visor ensures that they can't touch their face unwittingly," says Van Rensburg.
Glad to have visors for protection are Mediclinic ER staff members Dr Andrew Honiball (front), Shari Dreyer (left), Meghan Conradie (back centre) and Margo George (right).
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