AMREF Flying Doctors has acquired two portable isolation chambers in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, the leading aero-medical service provider in Africa revealed that the acquisition had been propelled by the urge to transfer patients by air between medical facilities in the region and beyond.
“Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in the region we have received numerous requests to transport infected patients within Kenya and in the region.
“To ensure that we do this safely and with minimal exposure to our medical and aircrew as well members of the public, we decided to invest in the two Portable Isolation Chambers”, CEO Stephen Gitau stated.
All AMREF clients, disciplined forces, civil servants, public secondary school students (registered under National Education Information System) covered under the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) contract for Emergency Air Evacuation Services will be able to access the equipment in case of a medical evacuation.
“The introduction of Portable Isolation Chambers will enable AMREF Flying Doctors to increase the medical evacuation capacity, by being able to transport Covid-19 positive patients onboard our aircraft, in the best interest of the patient and our hard-working staff," Gitau stated.
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya starting March 13, 2020, the organisation has offered substantial support to the government through the Ministry of Health. It has in the course of the pandemic provided logistic and professional support when called upon.
It has aided in the ferrying of supplies and medical personnel to various parts of the country.
He revealed that all AMREF medical staff had undergone adequate training on the use of the newly acquired chambers.
Portable Isolation Chamber
The portable isolation chamber is an innovative medical isolation and transportation system designed for optimal safety during patient loading and transport.
The unit is a single-patient isolator made of cleanable materials. It is easily assembled for use, fully transportable and is compatible with leading ambulance-stretcher systems. It is compatible with most mechanical ventilator circuits. The equipment meets all requirements for full environmental protection from cross-contamination.
Easy access to the patient enables advanced care and treatment. The design allows the provision of most intensive care treatments and emergency procedures. The unit is reusable with compact storage when not in use.
Only 30 minutes are needed to prepare and load the patient into the Portable Isolation Chamber. The patient can stay inside as long as necessary as the air is circulated through special filters – meaning that both short and long-distance transfers are possible.
