DRDO Builds COVID-19 Kiosk To Protect Healthcare Workers

In its efforts to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, the Hyderabad-based Defence Research & Development Laboratory, DRDO has developed what it called COVID Sample Collection Kiosk or COVSACK to protect the safety of healthcare workers.

This initiative comes after DRDO’s announcement on making bio suits using a special sealant in submarine applications and turning firefighting equipment into disinfection machine to sanitize roads and public places.

About the sample collection kiosk, DRDL has developed it with consultation from doctors at Employees’ State Insurance Corporation. Healthcare workers will use this kiosk to take samples from COVID-19 suspected patients. Patients will walk into the kiosk while a healthcare worker will stand outside and take an oral or nasal swab through the built-in gloves.

The kiosk will then be automatically disinfected, containing the spread of the virus. The healthcare workers are protected through the shielding screen of the cabin from the droplet/aerosols transmission. This reduces the need for healthcare staff to change their PPE.

Once the process is complete and the patient steps outside, four nozzle sprayers inside the cabin will spray disinfectant mist for 70 seconds to disinfect the chamber. After that, it is flushed with water and disinfected again with UV light.

And it will be ready for use again in no more than two minutes. The COVSACK has a two-way communication system, allowing for voice command. It is also possible to configure the kiosk so that it can be used either from outside or inside, depending on the medical professionals.

The cost to build these kiosks is around Rs 1 lakh. The identified industry in Belgaum, Karnataka can help build 10 units per day. Two units have been designed, developed and sent to ESIC Hospital by DRDL.

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