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Ventilator: Mindanao, Erica Elaine B. EN1-12 (8:00-9:00) MWF
Ventilator: Mindanao, Erica Elaine B. EN1-12 (8:00-9:00) MWF
VENTILATOR
Filipino neonatologist Dr. Enrique Ostrea, a team of University of the
Philippines engineers,and the Department of Science and Technology have
collaborated to produce OstreaVent, a cheaper medical ventilator which is
proven to be an effective substitute for the standard and commercialized type
of ventilators for premature infants with respiratory conditions.
Dr. Ostrea says he was inspired to produce the less expensive ventilator after
realizing that most public hospitals lack the standard respiratory ventilators.
He relates a story from his hospital rounds some years ago, where he saw a
12-year old girl manually pumping an inflatable bag to ventilate a premature
baby. The doctor learned the situation was a common occurrence in local
hospitals. This dire state of public hospitals has resulted to a number of
unnecessary fatalities in the country. Fueled by his determination to put an
end to this practice, Dr. Ostrea collaborated with the Department of Science
and Technology and a team of mechanical and electrical engineers from
the University of the Philippines to set up the equipment.