The intensified efforts by the country to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus have been boosted with the introduction of a mechanical environmental disinfection device.
When used alongside regular cleaning, the appliance which works through an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection mechanism provides sterilisation of spaces which have the potential to hold and spread the virus.
Biomedical equipment distributor, Lynge Holdings Ltd sourced the robotic environmental disinfection machine for supply in the country, with an intention of providing an extra line of defense in hospitals and other public spaces.
This supplements the existing Ministry of Health’s public health guidelines such as personal protective equipment (PPEs), hygiene, social distancing and hand washing.
Janet Sigey, the sales and marketing director at the company indicated that with the widespread effects of the dreaded highly infectious disease, a growing interest has been put in finding safe scientific solutions aimed at reducing infection and consequently protect lives.
“Through partnerships with manufacturers the company is introducing smart robots to be deployed in fighting the microbes by targeting areas prone to contamination; the UV and Ozone disinfection and sterilisation robot kill microbes through exposure to ultraviolet light,” said Ms Sigey in a statement.
The technology, she indicated, comes as a boost, at a time when the country faces a surge in the Covid-19 infections with efforts being made to contain the spread of the disease.
She explained that the UV robots work by disinfecting the surfaces and rooms using a glowing ultraviolet light and bulbs that emit high-output concentrated UV-C ultraviolet light capable of destroying bacteria, viruses and other harmful microbes. This, it does by damaging their DNA and RNA, consequently preventing virus multiplication.
“This device which comes with an automatic disinfectant spray module can be efficiently used for disinfecting surfaces and rooms and help fight the novel coronavirus,” said Ms Sigey indicating that the gadget which has been widely used around the world in regular hospital environment cleaning cycles has shown effectiveness in prevention and reduction of the spread of different other infectious diseases, viruses, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms.
Not only are the disinfection robots used to eliminate bacteria and viruses and sanitise hospital rooms, bathrooms, restrooms, offices and other spaces, but they are also effective in killing germs in motor vehicles.
“This means the device could prove handy in the country’s public service vehicles (PSV) sector as well. However because exposure to ultraviolet lights can be hazardous to humans, the robotic disinfector can be safely used at night or whenever it is safe to be used,” she said.