Muscat: As businesses are reopening gradually in the Sultanate, the use of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and regular temperature checks has become the new norm. There are relentless efforts by the authorities concerned to ensure unhindered supply of these PPEs. A number of Omani establishments have sprung into action to manufacture PPEs and other devices locally, aiding in the supply shortfalls as the demand continues to surge globally.
Prominent among these is Intaj Suhar, an industrial innovative joint venture between Sohar University, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC-Sheffield, England), which specialises in pioneering activities in the field of industrial design and production.
“We have designed and manufactured face visors in our facility. So far we have produced 10,000 visors,” Professor Ghassan Al Kindi, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Sohar University and Director of Intaj-Suhar, told Gulf News in an exclusive interview.
“Our clients are mainly clinics and private sector organisations. Our product is a high quality one made using polymers manufactured in Oman. Our face visors can be reused after proper sanitisation and disinfection,” Al Kindi said.
Disinfection chambers
Another name in the reckoning, Makers Oman, has been making news for their production of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection chambers. These disinfection chambers utilise UV light to disinfect high-end face masks for potential reuse. The unit came up after a great deal of research and testing and works perfectly, Ahmed Al Zadjaly, Operations & Main Maintenance Lead Engineer at Makers Oman, told Gulf News. “It offers a safe, cost-effective and environment-friendly solution for reusing face masks without compromising the properties of the mask. We have concluded all mandated tests for approvals and are awaiting the final nod,” Ahmed said.
Triangle Engineering LLC, a manufacturing and services enterprise is another company that has been spurred by the wave of innovation in the wake of COVID-19 in the Sultanate. Their walk-in style sterilisation kiosk is designed for external disinfection of individuals.
“Apart from utilising the skills of my team and the equipment we have, this is also one way of offering our support to the society. Our product is very nominally priced and is highly affordable, besides serving the purpose for what it is built, and hence widely accepted,” CEO Khalid Al Jashmi told Gulf News.
