Page 44 - World Airnews Magazine July Edition 2020

AFRICA

SA VENTILATOR PROJECTS

wo South African projects to design
Tand manufacture local venti lators
to be used for the treatment of Covid-19

patients have reached critical stages. The

design and layout phases have been com-
pleted and simulation exercises to test the

efficacy of the projects will start soon.

Project Sabela is co-ordinated by the SA
defence and technology group, Denel, in
partnership with other state-owned entities, the response levels are ramped up in the

research bodies and specialist companies in coming weeks,” said Du Toit. op a low-cost ventilator - the OVSI - that

the private sector. Denel Dynamics, a global can be used by patients requiring ventila-

leader in the design and manufacturing of ad- The research team has evaluated a tion at field hospitals, during transport, in

vanced missile and precision-guided weapon number of solutions proposed by compa- normal hospitals and intensive care units.
systems, has switched its focus to the produc- nies across the world and eventually came Other companies in the Denel group

tion of medical ventilators to support patients up with its own design, a Bi-level Positive are also contributing towards the national

who will be treated for the pandemic in public Airway Pressure (BiPAP) device. response to the pandemic during the lock-

and private hospitals. In a parallel initiative The team has built a prototype BiPAP down stages. Denel Aeronautics is providing

Denel Land Systems, has joined forces with a ventilator from available, off-the-shelf valuable technical support to the helicopter

leading university, engineering companies and hardware following an extensive period fleet of the South African Air Force which

a manufacturer of world-class domestic ap- of consultation with experts and reviews has been deployed in all nine provinces.

pliances to produce a full-function ventilator against applicable standards. This proto- The Oryx transport helicopters carry critical

made from easy to source materials. type is now undergoing further testing and medical and humanitarian supplies to com-

Danie du Toit the Group CEO of Denel evaluation from which the second design munities on a daily basis and also conduct

said considerable progress has been made will be made that will meet the requisite surveillance operations. Denel Aeronautics

in the design stage since Project Sabela was criteria for medical ventilators and can be has already carried out critical repair work
launched in early April. The aim of the proj- manufactured at scale within South Africa. on the main gearboxes of two Oryx helicop-
ect lead by Denel Dynamics is to design, Du Toit said Denel is proud to be associated ters and the technical support teams are on

develop and manufacture a low-cost, fit- with this local initiative and committed to uti- standby around-the-clock to do maintenance,

for-purpose ventilator by utilising the skills lise the resources and expertise used to man- repairs and testing of equipment.
and expertise of South African engineers, ufacture defence products towards a medical Similar technical support has been pro-

scientists, researchers and technicians. crisis which is spreading across the world. vided to the C-130 transport aircraft that

“We are optimistic about the potential to Denel Land Systems is part of a team led are undergoing regular inspections, repairs

produce a low-cost, entry-level ventilator by Cambridge University’s Whittle Labora- and testing at Denel’s maintenance, repair,
that can be used by the medical profession tory, Cambridge Aerothermal, Beko PLC, and overhaul (MRO) facility at the Air Force

as the number of patients increase and Prodrive UK and Defy Appliances to devel- Base Waterkloof. Q
AFRAA
AFRAA INTENSIFIES EFFORTS
for the campaigns for much-needed 8.1bn in revenues for the year 2020.”

financial support. During the webinar, Among other actions that form part of

s part of global initiatives to Afreximbank told African airlines about the the African High Level Task Force rec-

Araise fi nancial support for opportunities under the bank’s Pandemic ommendations to African governments,
Trade Impact Mitigation Facility (PATIMFA)

its members impacted negatively by designed to assist member countries to AFRAA has proposed the setting up of an

aviation sectorial COVID-19 recovery fund
the COVID-19 pandemic, the African manage the adverse impacts caused by for the support of the airline industry.

Airlines Association held a webinar with the COVID-19 pandemic. “We will continue to seek more ave-

the theme “Financial support to the African airlines had a unique platform nues of support for the industry from

African airline industry in the context of to discuss requirements and modalities development finance institutions, coun-

COVID-19 pandemic impacts.” for engagement with Afreximbank with a try development partners and interna-
The webinar was held in partnership focus on immediate requirements. tional donors as we navigate through

with the United Nations Economic Com- AFRAA secretary general, Abdérah- these tough times,’’ Berthé said.

mission for Africa (UNECA) and the Inter- mane Berthé said, “The impact on the air- The webinar concluded with a call for

national Air Transport Association (IATA). It line industry is severe and unprecedent- the development of a standard frame-
was a follow up to a survey done by AFRAA ed. Immediate cash injection is needed to work that could be used by all financial

and UNECA to quantify the indebtedness avoid insolvency or bankruptcy of African institutions and donors when an airline

of African airlines which form the basis airlines that are expected to lose (US) $ sought financial assistance. Q

World Airnews | July 2020
— 42 —