Researchers used 3D printing to solve PPE shortage in Nigeria

A recent academic paper revealed that researchers from the University of Sussex and Olabisis Onabanjo University in Nigeria turned to 3D printing and open source designs to help deal with shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). Like many countries, this shortage arose in Nigeria during the Covid-19 pandemic. Andre Maia Chagas from the University of Sussex and Dr. Royhaan Folarin from Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria explained the project in a paper published in the latest issue of the monthly scientific journal PLOS Biology.

The Covid-19 pandemic hit the entire world without warning and caused damage that still affects our daily lives. However, at times like now, when the pandemic seems to be reaching a state where we can all slowly begin to recover and process all that has been upending our lives, we are beginning to learn how the challenging situation has affected other parts of the planet. . When the coronavirus reached Africa, more precisely Nigeria, the situation quickly became problematic. The African country, given the poverty of its population and its unstable economy, quickly ran out of personal protective equipment (PPE) for its medical staff, which, as you know, is very important in dealing with the contagious virus.

In an effort to solve the problem as quickly as possible, Dr. Andre Maia Chagas and Dr. Royhaan Folarin searched together for a possible solution. The researchers turned to additive manufacturing, which presented a great opportunity to not only produce 400 urgently needed pieces of PPE on time, but also enabled cheaper and more sustainable production. The team managed to get the PPE designs approved through open source and, without hesitation, 3D-printed equipment for use by the local community, which turned out to cost less than half of what regular equipment would have cost.

Commenting on the project, Dr Andre Maia Chagas, who works as a research bioengineer at the University of Sussex, noted: “Through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and technology, we were able to help a community overcome a global health crisis. I am truly proud of the tangible difference we made at a critical time for this community. As PPE was in such high demand and stocks were low, prices for surgical masks, respirators, and surgical gowns increased, and issues arose around exports and international distribution. We quickly realized that alternative means of producing and distributing PPE were required. Free and open source hardware (FOSH) and 3D printing quickly became a viable option.”

3D printing helped charities provide PPE

The collaboration between the two researchers initially arose through a charity network called TReND in Africa. The initiative, created by the University of Sussex, supports the development of scientific capacities in developing countries in Africa. University experts work together with local researchers or doctors and share their knowledge in innovation, technology and medicine. Dr. Royhaan Folarin, a neuroscientist and professor of anatomical sciences at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria, explains: “During the pandemic, we saw the successful printing and donation of PPE in the Czech Republic by Prusa Research and it became a goal for me to use the training I had received from previous TReND workshops in Africa to help impact my community. immediately in Nigeria. ”

The success of the project prompted other professionals to further test and optimize the process, as the 3D printer the team used was not designed for large-scale mass production. Ultimately, the process advanced further to industrial production, and companies began using 3D printing technologies to produce and ship PPE to places in need around the world. You can learn more about TReND in Africa HERE.

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*Cover photo credits: WHO