SABA INNOVATION HUB LAUNCHES THE SABAMASK

Face mask has been one of the most effective PPEs against the spread of the COVID-19. The level of protection may vary depending on the pore size of the material that could trap the virus (SARS-CoV-2) combined with droplets to prevent its transmission to other individuals. In some cases, the masks are fitted with special features to make them more effective and efficient. Over a year now, face mask was added to the list of our apparels since we are bound by law to wear them whenever we step out of the house. There are no signs yet that we will completely avoid them soon, since vaccinated individuals are still required to wear them.

Ever since the permission was granted for pupils to begin school in January 2021 amidst the emergence of the new variants that spread faster among the population, there have been several reports of misuse of face masks among students which raised serious concerns. The increasing cases in schools is also a cause for concern. 

The total number of national cases recorded as of March 24^th, 2021 has drastically increased to 90,287 (Ghana Health Service). As of 21^st March, a total of 282 Ghanaian Schools recorded 1,920 COVID-19 cases with the Volta Region leading, followed by the Eastern and Bono regions (Ghana Health Service).

     

· Children go to school with the face masks but never return them home

· Children exchange their face masks in the classroom

· Children easily remove the face masks in the classroom

· I refer to the wearing of face masks by pre-school and some basic school students as a formality because children wear the face masks before entering the school premises but after closing, most of them go home without face masks.

All these concerns above make children very vulnerable to the COVID-19. An infected child could spread the virus easily among classmates.

Moreover, the current vaccines available now are not meant for children as drug companies are now running clinical trials of the vaccines for children. It may take a while before children get vaccinated against the COVID-19.  The only best preventive measure now while our children mingle with one another is to observe the social distancing protocol and the most important of the social distancing protocols is wearing of face mask.

Through our research, we observed that:

·  Some adults touch their face masks frequently when talking because the side strings of the masks do not fit them properly.

· The face masks are mostly pulled down to the chin by all age groups which also defeats the purpose for wearing it.

·  People complain of ear pains due to the new biological function given to the ears i.e., to hold the side strings of the masks.

The Saba Innovation Hub, after observing the challenges posed by the usage of the current types of face masks in Ghana especially among students of the lower grades, has innovated the Sabamask to solve the problem. 

The concept of the Sabamask is to encourage compliance with wearing of face masks and hence reduce the spread of the virus among the population.

The Saba Innovation Hub is partnering with the Department of Creative Design and Technology of the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences of the University for Development Studies, Tamale to commercialize the Sabamask. We are also calling on the Government to help promote it in other countries in Africa and beyond.

Speaking to our reporter, Dr. Courage Saba said "We have applied for a copyright for our design so we are urging the general public to desist from copying our design without our permission."  

Story filed by; Paa Kwesy