NAIROBI, Kenya, July 26-The Kenya Bureau of Standards has approved and released five new standards to guide the manufacturing of nebulizers, sanitization booths and face shields as the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) continues.
The Publicly Available Specification KPAS 2920:2020 provides the minimum specification for sanitization booths used in the sanitization of people by either walking round or through them.
“Sanitization booths are part of safety equipment used in public places such as hospitals, supermarkets, open marketplaces to stem the spread of the COVID-19. By prescribing the construction, performance, and safety requirements for manufacture of sanitization booths, local manufacturers stand guided to rapidly manufacture and supply safe products for local use,” says Lt Col (Rtd.) Bernard Njiraini, Managing Director, KEBS.
The Standardisation Body has also approved Publicly Available Specification KPAS 2919:2020 that gives the minimum specifications for face shields as protective gear used by healthcare service providers.
“As additional protection, face shields complement the use of facemasks, goggles, hoods, among other Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to offer protective benefit to medical personnel, and at the same time protecting patients receiving treatment.
The approved standard will guide manufacturers on the key requirements of a face shield in line with concepts of face protection devices, construction, performance and safety requirements,” he adds.
Three Kenya Standards for nebuliser machines, which help in the dispensation of medicines in mist or spray form that are pivotal in providing respiratory assistance to patients during emergencies, have also been approved and released for use.
These five (5) standards bring to a total of sixteen (16) Standards being availed for free access, to interested parties including manufacturers and the public to help in the fight against COVID-19, since the COVID-19 outbreak.
Other Standards earlier approved and released include specifications for instant hand sanitizers critical care ventilators, surgical face masks, reusable cloth masks, single-use medical examination gloves, single-use sterile rubber surgical gloves, protective clothing used by health workers, health care aprons and overall clothing among others.
KEBS, whose mandate includes facilitating fair trade, has been guiding local manufacturers through sessions on the applicable standards for PPEs with consistent calls for strict adherence to the quality standards.
KEBS has also ramped up market surveillance activities to ensure consumers receive quality PPEs and other related products in the war against COVID-19.
