Using an idea from a doctor at Stanford University, members of the volunteer group India COVID SOS are collecting CPAP machines that can be combined with a few over-the-counter parts to make ventilators for COVID-19 patients in India, reports Fox 5 San Diego.
While the rest of world is starting to recover from COVID, India is deep in a devastating second wave.
“What we are hearing is more severe cases are coming,” said Dr. Kusum Atraye, who is leading the effort to ship the sleep apnea machines to remote parts of India. “The mortality rate is very high. People are getting more affected on the lungs — that’s why oxygen is needed.”
The CPAP machines will be reconfigured into BPAP machines, or non-invasive ventilators.
Read more from Fox 5 San Diego.