1:00pm-2:00pm on Wednesday 31 March
Times shown are in GMT (UTC +0) up to the 27th March. For events on or after 28th March times are in BST (UTC +1).
The organisers of this event are from the Institute for Manufacturing (Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge), the Centre for Global Equality and Cambridge-Africa.
The sudden and rapid spread of COVID-19 led to widespread shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). These shortages were particularly severe in low-income regions with already fragile healthcare systems.
This panel discussion reflects a collaboration between researchers and makers in Cambridge, Bahir Dar and Blantyre to rapidly deploy digital fabrication tools (3D printing and laser cutting) to produce face masks and face shields to support the COVDID-19 response in Ethiopia and Malawi. Panellists will discuss approaches taken in both countries, and their impact on addressing shortages of PPE.
The event will consist of a live panel discussion, including video footage recorded and presented by the Ethiopia and Malawi teams. We then host a Q&A, inviting members of the public to join a conversation about the benefits and challenges of using digital fabrication in a crisis.
Host: Dr Lucia Corsini (Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge)
Speakers: Mayamiko Nkloma (University of Malawi Polytechnic), Dr Ndifanji Namacha (Minstry of Health Malawi), Henok Mebratie Mesfin, Sewnet Alemu & Dr Seifu Tilahun (Bahir Dar Institute of Technology), Dr Lara Allen (Centre for Global Equality)
