Desirous to assist medical experts in their efforts to tackle the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), School of Physical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), has manufactured 133 bags of hand sanitisers, each bearing 15 pieces of the life-saving substances.
The sanitisers, which would be delivered to the Imo State government for onward distribution to members of the public according to the institution is 75% alcoholic above the 60% recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Head, Department of Chemistry, Prof. (Mrs) Cynthia E. Ogukwe, who handed over the bags of the sanitisers to the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Francis C. Eze, explained that the department developed a test in-house to determine the quantity of ethanol in the production process.
“The global outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) demands contributions from scientists and researchers all over the world. FUTO, therefore, in the spirit of driving the culture of excellence, is not left out.
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“The quality hand sanitisers is FUTO’s contributions to Imo State government in the fight against Coronavirus disease spread in the state.”
Professor Eze, in his response, commended the department for the feat it achieved, which he said would strengthen the job of the committee already set up by the university to sensitise the host communities on methods to prevent the pandemic.
The FUTO VC, who acknowledged the ability of the department in science and research, urged them to be prepared to produce the substance in commercial qualities in future for the consumption of the public.
He encouraged other groups working to see how the nation could use science and technology to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic to sustain the spirit.
