A partnership between renewable energy company Africa Clean Energy Solutions (Aces) and mining, civil and roadworks company 3C Tech Mining has led to the development of a turnkey prefabricated medical facility – SAFEPOD – which can be used to bolster medical facilities available to tackle the spread of COVID-19, reports Mining Weekly.
The SAFEPOD, which comes in two variations, is valued at R3m, has floor space of 116 m2 and can house between 16 and 22 persons. The solution is primarily designed for mining-related conditions, but can be used elsewhere too. It is recommended that the facility be used as an extension to an existing medical facility, such as a hospital or clinic. However, if an extension is not possible, an appropriate site can be established.
SAFEPOD uses a light building system (LBS), which is sourced from building solutions company Shell Case. It is premanufactured and containerised for shipment in a knock-down kit. The system is modular and light, making it quick to assemble and easy to handle with no heavy equipment being required.
The mild/moderate SAFEPOD comprises 15 beds with screen separation. This unit is air cooled and has a sluice room, drug and equipment store, nurses station and clean room – donning and doffing, a staff bathroom and two patient bathrooms.
The high-care SAFEPOD has seven high-care beds with screen separation (1.5 m apart) and a single intensive care bed with its own en-suite bathroom. This unit also features a sluice room, drug and equipment store, nurses station and clean room – donning and doffing, and a staff bathroom.
SAFEPOD features six core elements, including its scalable manufacturing. The building can be fully operational within three weeks and it adheres to guidelines provided by the World Health Organisation.
Another element of the SAFEPOD’s turnkey ability is that the suppliers, working with various partners, supply and commission critical accredited medical equipment, including beds, ventilators, intravenous drips, medicine, electricity infrastructure and financial leasing options.
Aces is the provider of the renewable energy solutions, contracted medical equipment and medical supplies, while 3C Tech Mining is the provider of the technology stack from Dimension Data and the LBS, from Shell Case.
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