Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria: The Essential Roles of Biomedical Engineers & Technologists

Abstract

COVID-19 is a pandemic and dreadful viral disease affecting numerous countries globally including Nigeria. The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air, and quickly fall on floors or surfaces one can be infected by breathing in the virus if he/she is within close proximity of someone infected with the Virus, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth. It has been discovered that the COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. Biomedical Equipment manpower and engineers greatly Fabricate and Design workable Infrared Thermometers, Ventilators and Respirators to detect feverish conditions, monitor and alleviate COVID-19 Patients difficulty in breathing respectively; as during the coronavirus break, some hospitals, isolation centers and healthcare providers have faced a shortage of Infrared thermometers, respirators and ventilators, three critical tools in fighting the infection. During this Pandemic, Nigerian Biomedical Personnel have been highly committed in the mitigation, alleviation and expertise fighting of the Scourge and its geometric confirmed cases; they, aside from design, fabrication and maintenance of vital medical equipment they provide prompt, high quality and professional engineering support in all activities related to the research, commission and installation of medical equipment during this dreadful Pandemic; their dogged determination, zeal and diligence as essential health workers cannot be over-emphasized.