Kudos As SON Steps In To Boost Local Production Of Ventilators

BY CAMI EZENWA

Kudos to Nigeria because the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has stepped in to boost local production of ventilators.

This it will do by harmonising the process involved in the manufacture of the item, to conform to international standards.

It is kudos because ventilators are critical in efforts aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus.

Osita Aboloma, SON Director-General,  made this known in a statement to newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos.

The Eagle reports that Aboloma’s statement was at the unveiling of locally manufactured ventilators produced by Ilaro Polytechnic, Ogun.

Aboloma was represented by the SON Coordinator, Ogun State Office 1, Mr Jerome Umoru at the unveiling.

The SON director-general urged the various inventors to ensure compliance with ISO 5080601/2/12/3020 and Medical Electrical Equipment part 11 for clinical care.

According to him, adherence to the standard will ensure ease during the process of conformity assessment and product certification.

He added that the certification of locally produced ventilators, air purifiers and hand sanitiser machines would put the nation in its pride of place globally.

“We are partnering with the institute in ensuring that various machines produced in the country meet required standards so as not to end up in the shelves,” he said.

Aboloma further said that the standards body of the unification was also aimed at saving the nation’s foreign exchange spent on importation of ventilators to fights against COVID-19.

He advised private sector investment in such innovations to enable inventors go through the next stages of clinical trials and obtain the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) mark.

He reiterated SON’s support toward sustaining local production of essential materials to fight the COVID-19 pandemic through quality assurance.

“In our efforts to address the ongoing pandemic, we have diligently assigned officers to inspect the ventilators and alcohol-based hand sanitisers under production.

“We have one common standard for each product. We want to ensure that what we are producing meets the standard and once it does, we will certify it.

“We will also continue to monitor activities so that they do not rest on their oars in producing quality goods.

“I have presented a copy of the Standard to the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, and it is the ‘golden rule,” he said.

-Kudos 2-

Aboloma promised that the moment the institute was able to meet the basic parameter on requirements, certification of the innovations would be fast tracked.

“SON is ready to partner with all technical institutions, especially those involved in the production of life saving equipment and materials at this time.

“This is so that their products will meet minimum requirements of the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and undergo certification under the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) scheme”, he said.

The SON boss revealed that in no distant time, consumers would be empowered through product authentication scheme to determine the quality and conformance of products at the point of purchase.

He stressed that those without necessary certifications would be rejected.

Responding, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Olusegun Aluko, said that possible partnerships with private sector could help boost the production of ventilators against the high cost of importation.

Aluko explained that the institution had also designed a disinfectant cubicle (just like the security screening cubicles at points of entry in banks) that would disinfect anyone passing through it within a space of 20 seconds.

He said that the invention was critical at a time when the government was planning to open up the economy.

He further showcased a handling room disinfecting machine produced by the institute, saying it could conveniently be used to disinfect classrooms, offices,  banking halls.

He solicited for more government support on the innovations to fight COVID-19 as well as boost the investors’ confidence.

“We also invented a multiple outlet of handwashing and sanitising machine. This will be useful in supermarkets, schools and other public places that accommodated crowds.

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“We want patronage  from different sectors to deploy the machines to the wellness of Nigerians ,” the rector added.

It is kudos because the materials for manufacturing the ventilators are sourced locally and support to the noble innovation would make it more accessible and cheaper compared to imported one’s which are scarce, costly and took longer to deliver