UNS – The undergraduate program of Architectural Engineering Faculty of Engineering (FT) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta donated face shield to the Community Health Center (UPTD Puskesmas Wonogiri I). The transfer of PPE was conducted in Architecture Studio FT UNS attended by Vice Dean 3 FT Dr. Titis Srimuda Pitana, faculty member, students, and representative of UPTD Puskesmas Wonogiri I on Thursday (23/4/2020). This event is held by the Architectural Engineering program FT UNS to reduce the spread of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The Head of Architectural Engineering program FT UNS, Dr. Untung Joko Cahyono stated that in this occasion, the Architectural Engineering program donated 50 face shields produced by the students and Architectural Engineering FT lecturers to UPTD Puskesmas Wonogiri I. Face shield this is very necessary for medical personnel to avoid droplets in the form of fluids from patients.
Until now, the number of face shields that have been produced is around 700 units. Besides distributing the face shield to UPTD Puskesmas Wonogiri I, the Architectural Engineering program also distributes the face shield to other health facilities.
Dr. Untung added that in a day the Architectural Engineering program of FT UNS can produce an average of 150 units of the face shield. “If there is a demand for face shields, we will fulfil it, in average a community healthcare centre needs around 25-50 face shield. Today, besides distributing it to UPTD Puskesmas Wonogiri I, we also distribute (the face shields) to Puskesmas Mangunjaya, Bekasi District. Thus, if there are health care facilities that ask, we will give it free,” he conveyed.
The materials used for face shield production is relatively easy to get, a mica. Dr. Untung explained that the Architectural Engineering program will continue to take an effort in the COVID-19 handling according to its field of expertise.
“This is the realization of the Architectural Engineering concern to contribute to the handling of COVID-19 pandemic. The students of Architectural Engineering are familiar with cutting and putting together the mockup components such as mica and acrylic. Thus, we maximize (our efforts) according to our field of expertise,” Dr. Untung explained.
Dr. Titis Srimuda Pitana also added that they developed the design from the available sources on the internet and the Mechanical Engineering design. “The development is focused on two things: 1) Minimizing water-absorbent material, so that face shield can be washed by removing or changing the strap. 2) Protecting all of the faces because on the top there is a forehead cover like a hat”, explained Dr. Titis.
The effort taken by the Architectural Engineering FT UNS in solving the problem of scarcity of PPE should be appreciated. This simple action can help hundreds and even thousands of medical personnel who struggle at the front guard from getting infected by COVID-19.
The Architectural Engineering program FT UNS will continue to work on overcoming this pandemic until the recovery process. “The production of the face shield is in the short term, we try to meet urgent needs after the pandemic ends. We will keep thinking about how the recovery process will continue. After that, we will make a tutorial video to be shared to the community so that if they cannot obtain face shield, they can make it themselves at home and together fulfilling the PPE scarcity,” Dr. Untung concluded. Humas UNS/Bayu
