Staff Correspondent
Two samples of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) made at a Northern Railways workshop have been cleared by the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO). The PPEs were assessed for their ability to block blood or body fluid, paving the way for its production at railway units.
The Northern Railways said on Sunday the test at the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Gwalior lab was conducted to check the resistance of the bio-protective covering material (fabric/garment) to penetration of blood or body fluid.
“Now these coveralls will be manufactured by the Indian Railways and will be worn by doctors in railway hospitals while treating COVID-19 patients,” an NR official said. Its GM Rajiv Chaudhary called it a “huge achievement” for both the Northern Railways and the Indian Railways, promising to supplement the efforts of the government in the fight against the Coronavirus.
Shortage of PPEs for medical workers and their subsequent contraction of COVID-19 had emerged one of the major contributors to the list of positive patients in China and other countries. The NR added that that while the technical specifications of the PPEs are ready, the material suppliers have also been identified.