One of Rwanda’s burgeoning innovation youth hubs, Fab Lab Rwanda, are producing these high-end, government-approved face shields, and supplying them to hospitals as well as businesses that interact with clients in person – such as restaurants, supermarkets, and other service-providing centers. Fab Lab Rwanda was established in 2016, as space to turn innovative ideas into products, specifically in the hardware and electronics industries.
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR PROJECT AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO COME UP WITH THE IDEA.
During the pandemic many supply chains for hospital equipment have slowed down. As an innovation hub, we set ourselves to ll the void by manufacturing face shields. Through conversations we had with some doctors on the front line who were treating COVID 19 patients, we understood that face shields were part of the must-have protective equipment, that they used to protect themselves while on duty. We set ourselves a goal to help by producing these shields locally.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT OF YOUR PRODUCT?
We have lled the void left by the slow supply and less availability of face shields. And by manufacturing them locally, we have helped facilitate some businesses to continue operating especially restaurants, supermarkets and service centers.
WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACE IN PRODUCING THEM AND WHAT HELP DO YOU NEED?
Although our aim is to source all the materials and components we need locally, this is dif cult. So the challenge is our reliance on materials that are manufactured abroad. In order to meet the growing demand of the market we need to have enough inventory, for all materials and components we use in manufacturing face shields. We need more support in this area.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR INNOVATION?
We are working hard to contribute in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, through different innovations. We hope that one day we will be the hub exporting innovations to other countries. We also want to help our neighbours, by exporting the face shields during this pandemic. Together we can beat COVID-19.
By UNDP Africa Innovates: 50 Homegrown African Innovations Tackling COVID-19.
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