COVID 19 Pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges at the global level. The Healthcare professionals are leading this war against the pandemic and they need to be safeguarded from acute risk of infection, while providing care to the victims.
What is NavRakshak? – A resource improvised optimisation of personal protective equipment – Titled as NavRakshak. This innovative solution developed by a young Doctor of Indian Navy (Dr. Arnab Ghosh, a Naval Doctor).
The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the most essential defensive tool for protection of the Corona Warriors.
However, availability of reliable, cost effective and comfortable PPEs is a huge challenge. The Indian Council of Medical Research and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have promulgated benchmarks standards for PPE, based on international standards promulgated by WHO.
To overcome these challenges, a Naval Medical Specialist of Innovation Cell, Institute of Naval Medicine Mumbai has developed –
A high quality PPE which provides full protection as per promulgated standards, is made of ‘breathable’ fabric, gives comfort to the wearer enhancing the user comfort even under prolonged use in hot and humid conditions and is extremely economical. This innovative solution developed by a young Doctor of Indian Navy is being steered for licensed production and IP management by the Intellectual Property Facilitation Cell (IPFC) of MoD in association with NRDC.
It incorporates superior quality breathable fabric to make the PPE suit while its design innovation eliminates the need of costly taping and sealing of the seam which is otherwise needed in other PPEs available in the market.
It meets the standard criteria set by ICMR and MoHFW for PPEs
While many PPEs compliant to the standards are available in the local market, however their cost effectiveness and suitability for the hot and humid weather conditions prevalent in India remain suboptimal.
The PPE kit offers a suite of products including:-
Head gear, NavRakshak face mask and NavRakshak Cover-all and Shoe Covers.
The Fabric material used is non-woven SSMMS (Spunbound-Spunbond Meltbound- Meltbound-Spunbound) of 51 GSM density and available in two variants (single-ply or two-ply for different exposure situations including intense aerosol generating surgical procedures having higher viral loads).
It offer aims to meet the shortfall in the availability of standard quality PPE in the country.
Salient Technical Features including Competing Features of NavRakshak
NavRakshak consists of headgear (1 ply 51 GSM SSMMS fabric), 2 plies protective mask of the same material and Coveralls (1 ply =51 GSM) -The innovative hood has a 360 degree wrapping with tuckable base. There is a provision of inserting stethoscope or headphone earpieces (named Phone pouch) through a closed end pouch in the hood.
Two ply face mask (10 layered, 102 GSM density) which is almost two times denser than the N-95 respirator mask.
Face mask creates tight air sealing generating negative pressure inside (without expiratory valve) and has cup-shaped design with a nose fix.
Of fers fluid resistance due to zigzag patterned non-woven fabric, not letting fluid to settle on its surface.
Testing of the Fabric has been done by INMAS (DRDO) and passed by 6/6 SBPR test –Coverall exceeds ISO 16603 class 3 exposure pressure, or equivalent
Advantages of NavRakshak PPE kit | UPSC – IAS
Low cost, optimal pathogen protection and easily adaptable design.
Provides optimal breathing comfort to the user while preventing viral exposure. – Innovative Provision for securely inserting stethoscope earpiece or mobile headphones into hood.
Easily available raw material in Indian market, 60-80% (anticipated) cost reduction compared to imported PPEs
Low capital investment, easily adaptable by existing Gown manufacturing units
Surgical procedures can also be done wearing the PPE
Innovation Cell – Institute of Naval Medicine (IC-INM)
The Indian Navy has established its first ever innovation cell, in January 2020, inside the premises of the Institute of Naval Medicine, Mumbai to recognise and promote Innovations from serving personnel. The innovation cell nurtures and inspires ideas and facilitates Prototyping and Product Formulation.
Update – Recently, Agra-based company bags NRDC license for manufacturing NavRakshak PPEs
