Qatar has begun manufacture of artificial respiratory machines to meet the requirements of health sector domestically and to export internationally, amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Wednesday, visited the Barzan Holding Company, affiliated to Ministry of Defense, and he was briefed on production lines for manufacturing the Savr-Q ventilators.
The Emir also met several Qatari engineers at the company’s research and development centre, who have been working to produce devices that meet the standards of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Barzan will produce ventilators through strategic partnership with American company, Wilcox, to cover requirements of health sector in the country.
“It is a small, light, device made for civilian and military use. It is 100 percent Qatari in terms of engineering and manufacturing,” Saud Abdulla al-Mana’i, the Assistant Project Manager for Savr-Q told media.
With the increased global demand for ventilators for treatment of Covid-19 patients, the company plans to produce 2000 ventilators per week, aimed at reaching internal self-sufficiency and also help with international export.
So far, the coronavirus has infected over three million people worldwide, killed a quarter of a million people, and has led to growing global demand for mechanical ventilation industry.
