The Ghanaian doctor supporting the fight against coronavirus

As a personal protective measure against the spread of the coronavirus, Ghanaian medical doctor and technology enthusiast, Dr. Afeke Korsi Hormeku has developed and produced face shields with locally acquired raw materials.

According to him; “I have been advocating the need to invent appropriate technological solutions for the healthcare sector. Hence, I felt the responsibility to contribute towards efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, by producing these face shields.”

Dr. Hormeku, in an interview with amalarbieafrica.com, indicated that even though face shields are a pre-existing protective gear; “my team and I didn’t set out to develop a new product, but to find an avenue to mass-produce face shields using locally acquired materials such as transparent plastic sheets, elastic bands and foam.”

“Our main challenge during production is getting access to the right materials especially during this lockdown period,” he added.

On the distribution of the face shields, Dr Hormeku noted that the first batch of the 'NOTiLL masks' would be donated to healthcare facilities to complement available protective gear.

“We also intend to approach cooperate bodies and individuals to finance production for other health facilities,” he revealed.

Dr. Hormeku added, the production of the face shields would still be ongoing even after the pandemic wades away since the protective gear can also be used in the various healthcare facilities.

“As much as citizens feel the need to go out, I would like to appeal to them to stay at home. I also want to encourage fellow innovators to keep coming up with appropriate technological solutions for the healthcare sector even after this pandemic dies down,” Dr. Hormeku said.

Dr. Afeke Korsi Hormeku has over 5 years’ clinical experience in medicine. He is also a co-director of Code Red Ghana, a company that provides training in Basic Life and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Over the years, he has developed a passion for the innovation of appropriate technological solutions to solve healthcare issues in Ghana.