The engineering department of Bayero University, Kano says it is trying to develop ventilators for use in centres dedicated to treating people with coronary heart disease.

The university’s chief engineering officer, Prof. Salisu Dan’azumi, told the BBC that 50 per cent of the work required had been completed.

“They started working and even achieved about 50 per cent of the production of this machine,” he said.

The engineering department said it had recruited specialists across the university and committed to designing a single prototype machine before it engaged in the production of sensors.

Dan’azumi said the device was obtained from the one used at Malam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano.

He said the specialists have been given a week to complete the production.

He added that despite the strike, they had formed a committee consisting of engineers, electricians and electricians and Mechanics and General Mechatronics under the direction of Prof. Abdussamad Umar Jibia.

The move comes amid the urgent need for ventilators as the world battles to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.