The Ambubag based Medical Ventilator invented by the University of Lagos was among outstanding innovations which won the Lagos State Government the second position at a Science Technology Research and Innovation Expo.
The Expo which held between Monday, March 15 and Friday, March 19, 2021 at the Federal Capital Territory was organized by the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The Low-Cost Rapid Deployable Synchronous Two-Motor Ambu-Ventilator for Patients in Respiratory Distress which was patented by the Federal Government in November 2020 was exhibited by the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) at the Science Technology Research and Innovation Expo.
According to a letter from the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC), the Ambubag Ventilator which was developed by a team of researchers in the University of Lagos led by Professor Hakeem Amuda in partnership with the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council as part of a national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, was among very few innovations which caught the attention and won the admiration of stakeholders during exhibition at the expo, a feat which also won the Lagos State Government an award.
The Award ceremony which held at the Auditorium of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Abuja was presided over by the Director, Science, Technology and Innovation of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Abayomi Oguntunde.
The Director commended the partnership between the University of Lagos and the Lagos State Government which birthed the device. He congratulated the research team of the University of Lagos and encouraged the team to continue to improve on the device until it is accessible in the Nigerian healthcare system.
The ventilator branded the LASRIC/UNILAG Ambuvent (coined from Ambubag and Ventilator) and conceptualized as a Simple, Efficient, Affordable device with substantial Local content (SEAL) was unanimously adjudged a “game-changer” in the management of patients in respiratory distress. This is based on its effectiveness in providing access to affordable ventilator unlike the conventional expensive mechanical ventilator and its hybrid power system using an embedded solar design which permits deployment in communities with inadequate or no electricity supply from the national grid. It also does not require any specialized training to be operated, hence the acronym “SEAL” behind the design of the device.
On hand to represent the University of Lagos at the award presentation to Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) which held on Thursday, August 24. 2021 was the Deputy Director, Research and Innovation Office, UNILAG; Professor Hakeem Amuda who led the UNILAG Research team.
It would be recalled that the Low-Cost Rapid Deployable Synchronous Two-Motor Ambu-Ventilator for Patients in Respiratory Distress was also exhibited during the 51th Convocation Ceremonies of the University of Lagos which held in July 2021.
