Covid-19: Defence Industries unveil PPEs, digital ventilator, other medical equipment

The Defence Industries Corporation Nigeria has initiated and produced  locally made medical equipment meant to control and contain the spread of the ravaging novel global COVID-19 pandemic.

The equipment include, digital mechanical and rechargeable ventilator, face masks, 1500 dozens of DICSanz (hand sanitizers) ,amongst others to serve Nigerians for the protection and treatment of the satanic monster that is inflicting a devastating effect on Nigerians and its economy.

The locally produced digital mechanical ventilator also known as DICOVENT which was designed and manufactured by DICON engineers, consultants and medical team. The newly designed low-cost machine is a simple mechanical ventilator that can deliver positive pressured ventilation using a volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) system.
The ventilator can be recharged using any electrical power supply.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, (DMOs) DHQ, Maj. Gen. John Enenche during the unveiling of the products in Abuja.

Gen. Enenche explained that, this wonderful, pragmatic and unprecedented feat by the DICON that is result oriented was in response to the directive given by the Chief of Defence Staff directing the DICON to come up with intervention measures that will help contain, treat and curtail the spread of the virus in the country.

Gen. Enenche speaks.. “the devastating pandemic of COVID 19 has brought a lot of hardship, agony and pains across the globe. The national response to the fight against this virus is not without challenges, ranging from a thorough understanding of the disease to the astronomically high demand for personal protective equipment, mechanical ventilators and other materials to manage the Pandemic.

“Therefore, in response to the CDS directive to the Armed Forces to articulate strategic intervention to support the FGN fight against the COVID 19 Pandemic, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has taken the lead among others, to provide a local content driven response to address the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Nigeria.

“Additional to its primary responsibility to produce defence equipment, DICON has succeeded in diversifying its human, equipment, machinery as well as research and development capacity, to support a much-needed strategic intervention to cushion the effects of the highly dreaded COVID 19 in the country.

“Consequently, DICON, under the visionary leadership and result oriented leadership of Maj. Gen. Victor Ezugwu, has mobilized its management and staff to research, develop, produce and produce several COVID-19 essential and life saving equipment.
First is the production of over 1500 dozens of DICSanz, a high-quality hand sanitizer produced under very strict environmental conditions, requested by the COAS Lt Gen TY Buratai for supply to troops of the Nigerian Army. This product is at the last stage of NAFDAC registration in line with extant due diligence provisions”. He stated.

The Coordinator also added that, the DICON has also produced thousands of high quality non permeable Personal Protective Equipment kit each comprising of standardized gowns, face shield and nose for the medics also in response to another directive by the Honorable Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd). which stated the need for the Armed Forces supporting , DICON has responded to the directive by Honorable Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd) to be used by Kaduna State Government and other national stakeholders.

He however expressed hope that wonderful innovative interventions by the institutions of all components of military including Nigerian Defence Academy have given bright hope that Nigeria can win fight against Covid-19.

He maintained that the production of those equipments by DICON was properly assessed, commended and approved by the relevant authorities.

He therefore urged all the stakeholders including the federal and state governments to support and patronise DICON and other military institutions on its effort to stop the spread of the virus

The CDS has therefore directed all the Armed Forces to liase with DICON for mass production of all prototypes of COVID-19 PPEs for national application.