Covid-19: UMS makes mobile sampling chamber

By Olivia Miwil - May 19, 2020 @ 10:47am

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has developed a mobile Covid-19 sampling chamber that omits frontliners from using full personal protective equipment (PPEs).

During the peak Covid-19 cases in Sabah, frontliners could use up to 5,000 PPEs in a day.

Its vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Taufiq Yap said that the chamber, which has positive pressure, prevents contamination from the outside.

"Instead of wearing full PPEs, staff could do the work with minimal protective layers.

"By working inside the chamber, there will also be air-conditioning that could give a more comfortable working environment," he said during the handover of the first unit to the Health Ministry at Luyang Health Clinic.

Present was Sabah Health director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi.

Taufiq added the chamber, which cost about RM20,000, was developed by the varsity's Development and Maintenence department.

"We are giving a chamber to the Health Ministry as part of our corporate social responsibility as one of the universities in the state.

"It is also our appreciation to frontliners who have worked hard," he said, adding UMS would develop more for the varsity as it also runs medical facilities.

Throughout the Covid-19 outbreak, UMS has also been helping to test Covid-19 samples and become the coordinator to manage higher learning institutes' students to return to their hometown.

As of today, Taufiq said there are still about 1,000 Covid-19 test results pending for students, for them to go home before Raya Aidilfitri and Kaamatan festivals.