A Breath Of Clean Air

An enterprising group of South African doctors, engineers and designers based in East London has invented a medical device that revolutionises oxygen delivery to COVID-19 patients.

As South African healthcare workers struggled to contain a second wave of COVID-19 in January this year, the licencing approval of the OxERA (Oxygen-Efficient Respiratory Aid) device offered some hope. This simple, efficient, portable and cost-effective device delivers consistently high levels of oxygen to COVID-19 patients and helps to keep their lungs from collapsing,

This proudly South African invention could be a game changer where there are a large number of Coronavirus patients yet a lack of skilled staff, ICU and high-care facilities; and insufficient bulk oxygen supplies. It effectively bridges the gap between current standard oxygen therapy via face masks and ICU-based non-invasive or mechanical ventilation, while requiring no more oxygen flow than a standard face mask.

The device was developed by a group of East London based volunteers that includes doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approved the OxERA device for emergency COVID-19 use in January, and will be manufactured and distributed by Gabler Medical.