Makerere University on Thursday 11^th June, 2020 unveiled the first unit of the Low-Cost Medical Ventilator a product of Makerere University Researchers and Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) Engineers. The Ventilator was officially unveiled by the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. William Bazeyo.  

The ventilator is portable and as such can be used both aboard ambulances and in hospital settings. It also features a battery which can support the ventilator for more than two hours after a power outage. It also comes fitted with a solar charge controller which allows for the battery to be recharged using solar panels. This feature particularly makes it suitable for Africa's rural settings that are not connected to the electricity mains or where the electricity supply is unreliable.

The unveiling comes slightly after two months since Makerere University, ResilientAfrica Network (RAN) a project of the School of Public Health, Kiira Motors Corporation, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) got together to develop an Open Design Low-Cost Ventilator. The team adapted open access designs from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Florida, and other Public License Ventilator Technology Developers to the needs in Africa.

Please click here to view a video of the unveiling ceremony.

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