Bosnian car engineers design ventilator for domestic market

As the new coronavirus virus struck in Bosnia, engineers at a car parts manufacturing plant started thinking about how to develop a low-cost ventilator that could be built with locally available tools and infrastructure. They normally produce inner bearings and precision steel components for European vehicles. But TDM Group has now developed this prototype ventilator which they're presenting to health care professionals.

Gradacac: Bosnian car engineers have developed what they hope will be a life-saving ventilator for seriously ill COVID-19 patients.

The country is unable to compete with wealthier nations who are in a race for medical equipment for their populations.

As the new coronavirus virus struck in Bosnia, engineers at a car parts manufacturing plant started thinking about how to develop a low-cost ventilator that could be built with locally available tools and infrastructure.

They normally produce inner bearings and precision steel components for European vehicles.

But TDM Group has now developed this prototype ventilator which they're presenting to health care professionals.

"This is a completely new device that has the same functions as all other ventilators of that type that are currently used in hospitals," says Adem Hanic, the TDM Group director.

When the pandemic hit Bosnia, its health system had fewer than 260 machines for a population of about 3.5 million.

The country is unable to compete with richer governments across the world to source additional units in the global market now desperate for ventilators.

The prototype being developed here is less sophisticated than the ones produced by the leading global manufacturers currently used in hospitals, but these engineers believe it will meet the safety requirements and be easy for health workers to operate.

"It is reliable because we used components manufactured by top producers, as well as components that we produce ourselves," says Hanic.

The new coronavirus attacks lungs and in most severe cases of infection, compromises patients' ability to breathe.

Critically endangered patients are put on ventilators to control the oxygen and airflow from their lungs and keeps them alive to undergo further treatment.

However, Hanic acknowledges they still have a long way to go until it can hope to start producing low-cost ventilators in Bosnia.

A malfunctioning machine could contribute to the death of the patient, so doctors and nurses must have the confidence the ventilators they're using are completely reliable.

There will be a lot more testing before the prototype can be certified for production, it's a process that can take up to three years according to Hanic.

He says: "It is a challenge, but in any case, we'll learn something, we already changed our way of thinking and began adapting to the changing situation."

"I hope that in difficult situations, such as this global pandemic, we can find our way around quickly, reorganize and do what needs to be done to help our community," he adds.

According to John's Hopkins coronavirus tracking system in the US, Bosnia has reported nearly 400 coronavirus cases and at least 53 deaths as on Thursday but the actual number is feared to be much higher due to limited testing.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.

(AP)