Doctor in Embu embarks on making high-tech face masks using sanitary towels

As youth in the country embark on using their skills to help in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus, in Embu, a youthful doctor has embarked on making face masks using sanitary pads.

Thomas Kiringe, a doctor at Imara Medi Plus plaza in Embu makes his masks using the sanitary pad lining which he says is very effective in keeping the virus at bay.

Kirenge says that based on his research and his medical background he settled for the pad’s liner whose filter- similar to the one in a N95 mask-  is essential in keeping microbes away.

The young doctor notes that’s since it’s not possible to produce the N95 masks locally, the filter in the N95 mask can be substituted by the liner.

His prototype masks are also reusable since the part made from pieces of cloth is washable, unlike the expensive N95 masks

The doctor hopes the prototype masks will help doctors and care providers who do not have the N95 on the frontline be safer from the pandemic.

The Kenyan government recently ordered all Kenyans to wear facemasks at all times while in public.

The directive was extended to supermarkets with the government warning that stores admitting shoppers without masks would be closed down.

Kenyans are also required to be in masks at all times during their journeys while using public means of transport.

Kenya has so fart confirmed 384 cases of the new coronavirus.