Novel innovation to protect against novel coronavirus

It is true that during the worst of times the best in us emerge. And that is what we have seen in many of the people in Bangladesh in various ways—the doctors in the lead, despite acute shortage of personal protective gear. And that includes expatriate Bangladeshis too.

The incremental rise in the number of people affected by COVID-19 is alarming, even more so in Bangladesh. We had been caught off-guard and the entire system, nationally and internationally has been overwhelmed by the disease. Unfortunately, along with the severe crunch in high-end medical equipment, the low-end materials like the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) have also run out in most countries. And Bangladesh is feeling the crunch too. Given the rate of usage of this one-time use kit, no wonder every country is running out, or will soon run out, of it.

In the face of the frightening prospect of PPE getting exhausted, with prospect of replenishment grim, and given the mad rush all over the world to stockpile as many of these as possible, a Bangladeshi expatriate chemical engineer living in Australia has come out with a novel idea of using germicidal ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) to disinfect and rapidly sterilise PPEs rendering them fit for reuse. His very welcome effort has crossed the first hurdle; the administration has approved the project with utmost speed. We would call upon the administration to speed up the next phase and instruct all concerned to put to use the new method of steriliasation. The authorities should also provide all necessary assistance to the hospitals as well as the team led by Dr Md Arifur Rahim, whose innovative idea it is, to implement the project.

Let us be under no illusion that the situation is foreboding for Bangladesh. There is a fear that if the number of infected by the virus increases, and with the frontline fighters—the doctors, nurses and other categories of health care workers—without protective gear, the situation can be more overwhelming than we expect. Here is an inexpensive technology that can save many lives. Put it to use without delay.