UV coordinates a citizen project to make protective face masks for Valencian hospitals
The institution becomes the first Valencian academic institution in giving protective material to health workers in face of the request of Valencian hospitals because of the reliability and trustworthiness of the staff from the Universitat.
27 de march de 2020
The Universitat de València (through the teaching staff of the School of Engineering (ETSE) and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry) is coordinating the production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that protect health workers against possible infections of COVID-19, in light of the current apparent shortage in material suitable for that purpose.
In such a way, the UV coordinates the production of such protective face masks through the so-called 'makers', users that have 3D printers able to elaborate the necessary material. Altruistically, more than a hundred voluntary makers, among which are the members of the team 'Resistencia Valencia', are allocating resources, time and effort in producing these PPEs that are being delivered for free to public and private hospitals from the province of València, under request of their heads of service.
Around 400/600 protective face masks made with PLA resins are daily produced by these makers, and at this time several thousand face masks have been delivered to different health institutions. In order to cover the economic cost of production by the volunteers. the Universitat, supported by the office of the general manager, is offering technical and economic support to completely cover the necessary cost.
In light of the success and quality of the produced face masks, requests from health centres from Castellón and Alicante have arrived, as well as from other locations out of the Valencian Community, which are being handled. Additionally, it has been requested the production of more complex and well-prepared PPEs as well as aerosol boxes, splitters, etc.
Some companies and private entities volunteered to help in this project offering the necessary material and even economic donations to defray possible expenses. For this reason, the creation of a management system of the donations has been facilitated by the office of the general manager of the Universitat.
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This information has been prepared by the area of institutional communication of the Office of the Principal, with information provided by the coordinators of the project, who take part in the ETSE and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.