The South African National Ventilator Project (NVP) is a co-ordinated national effort in response to the Covid-19 pandemic involving the local design and manufacture of breathing apparatus devices used in patient treatment. It is an example of our nation’s ability to innovate and collaborate to deploy a wide range of expertise and manufacturing competencies, and successfully deliver a fit-for-purpose solution in a very short space of time.
Background
The NVP is a co-ordinated national effort in response to the Covid-19 pandemic involving the local design and manufacture of breathing apparatus devices used in patient treatment.
Parties
The NVP is a project of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition given the undertaking to execute the initiative at industrial scale by co-ordinating national efforts. The initiative is driven by a range of government and industry representatives.
Process and Product
A concerted effort to identify Covid-19 related treatment therapies for patients and develop a fit for purpose specification for breathing apparatus devices commenced in March 2020.
Funding
The Solidarity Fund has played an instrumental role in the NVP.
Deployment and Distribution
The distribution and deployment of the devices to the healthcare sector is in progress.
“Within the space of four months we have gone from not producing any ventilators at all to having the first units in production. The National Ventilator Project is a great example of partnership and innovation, and what we can achieve when we work together toward common objectives. With prototypes approved, funding raised, and component supply lines secured, manufacturing has begun. The project has also identified that we have the industrial capacity to scale up production for exporting ventilators to other African countries should the need arise.”
Ebrahim Patel – Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.