By Fernan Angeles
RESPONDING calls to seriously consider locally made products—from testing kits to PPEs — amid the fight against the global pandemic, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) approved a locally manufactured life-saving ventilator for COVID-19 patients.
In approving the UCL-Ventura Flow Generator, FDA expects a solution that does not only make sure that local healthcare sector saves on costs, but also fuels local manufacturing industry.
In a statement, Ayala-owned Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI) said that they were able to produce a non-invasive ventilatory support machine for COVID-19 patients they refer to as UCL-Ventura Flow Generator, which was recently approved by the FDA.
The electronics manufacturing company said that they have officially received certification from the FDA for their UCL-Ventura Flow Generator.
IMI is the manufacturing portfolio of AC Industrial Technology Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ayala Corp.
The device was based on the manufacturing instructions for the UCL-Ventura Breathing Aid, which was released for free by the University College London on April 7. It was made in collaboration with University College London Hospital and Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains.
This design, likewise, was developed from an off-patent continuous positive airway pressure system that was further optimized to support COVID-19 patients having difficulty breathing.
FDA approved the low-cost local version of ventilator for COVID-19 patients on July 10 but was only announced August 6.
Interestingly, the Philippine health care system has been heavily depending on ventilators from China, where the deadly COVID-19 came from.