Manufacturing companies around the world are trying hard to produce large quantities of artificial respirators, due to the huge demand for them to counter the emerging corona virus.
In addition to the shortage of masks and gloves, the spread of "Coffed 19" in almost every corner of the world highlighted the urgent need for specialized devices that help the injured survive. "With the epidemic spreading across the world, there is an unprecedented demand for medical equipment, including respirators," says Kiran Murphy, president of General Electric Health Care.
The group has employed more workers and is now working around the clock. The Swedish "Gettingen" group is also increasing production to meet the explosive growth in demand for this equipment worldwide.
The group said in a statement that all equipment normally used for training or exhibitions would be provided to customers immediately.
The French company, Air Liquide, plans to increase the production of respirators from 500 units per month to 1,100 in April.
The company, "Drieger", the German medical technology giant, announced that it had doubled the number of artificial respirators produced, while "Leuvenstein" obtained a government order that includes 6500 units during the next three months.
It started to increase production in February, due to the high demand for these devices from China.
Shortage of employees
French officials have said that the Covid-19 pandemic has weighed on hospitals, as some intensive care units have become overwhelmed with patients, warning they are at risk of running out of basic equipment.
Earlier this month, the Italian Society of Anesthesiologists and Intensive Care Unit staff discussed setting a maximum age for admission of the injured.
World leaders have turned to industry groups with the know-how and ability to help hospitals.
US President Donald Trump tweeted, giving “green light” to Ford, General Motors and Tesla to help boost the production of respirators. The French "PSA" group, which owns "Peugeot" and "Citroen", said it was looking "very seriously at the possibility" of joining the companies that manufacture these medical devices.
Innovations, such as 3D printing, may also be beneficial, and the Dutch company "Ultimaaker" has put printing centers, experts and designers at the disposal of hospitals.
In eastern France, which has been severely affected by the Corona virus, an operator at the University of Belfort, Montpelier, is based on open cooperation, working on a prototype of a respirator.
"In a crisis situation, anything can help," said engineer Olivier Lamot, director of the "crisis lab".
"Over the past few days, specialists around the world have said that we need to print respirator and protective masks parts," he added. "Our role is to test it and make sure it works."
Olivier de Cooke, former head of the French Federation of Anesthesiologists, noted that there is an urgent need for personnel and protective equipment.
He explained that in the intensive care unit, it is common to place those infected with the Corona virus on their stomachs, which requires five people.
Intensive care units are at risk of running out of basic equipment.