Students build projects for health center

Building simple tools useful in their adopted health centers was what made engineering students of a local university busy during their “Ergonomics Day.”

The science of ergonomics deals with designing or arranging things so that people can use them safely and easily.

Prototype wheelchairs, hospital beds, food carts and other equipment used in a health center were showcased by fourth year industrial engineering students of the University of San Jose – Recoletos (USJ-R) in the event.

The activity was held “not just for the sake of getting good grades” but also to help their chosen community. They identified some necessary items that the Barangay Ermita Health Center lacks and designed their projects so these can be donated to Ermita.

Tito Linao, president of the college of engineering, said the equipment they built cater to patients of different sizes, putting in place “safety engineering which is the first step of ergonomics.”

Dr. Juvy Malonhao, a full time-teacher at the USJ-R, said they observed that the Ermita heath center lacks a lot of equipment, so they adopted it.

The students were able to come up with a wheelchair with adjustable back support that would reduce back stress and pains; an adjustable leg support and foot rest; and a big wheel which makes it easier for the patient to maneuver, reducing pain on the shoulder.

Another item was an adjustable, folding hospital bed made of aluminum and foam. The headrest and the middle portion can be adjusted so that the bed will transform into a chair, complete with a footrest.

The students also made an infant bed with a removable dextrose holder and a tray under the bed where the baby’s belongings can be stored. Another item was the foldable foodcart which can also be used as linen cart at the same time.

As most patients usually have visitors and watchers, the students also designed a “muti-seat” made of plywood and foam. This was named as such because it can be used as a stool, bench, a 2-seater with backrest or a three-seater bench.

Also showcased was a cabinet for wards that can also be used as a pushcart or a table for meals, and a dress that is best both for the labor room and nursing mothers.

Malonhao pushed for the event, wanting her students to apply their lessons in her “Ergonomics and Safety Engineering” to help a community.

Students had one month to prepare their prototypes and according to Jexie Simbahon, the class coordinator, doing the projects was not easy considering they had other major subjects. They exchanged ideas during their free time and spent several nights coming up with the ergonomic designs.

Engineering student Pliny Todiño in an aside added that they had to allocate a portion of their allowance to come up with the needed funds for the materials.

“Instead of spending the money for our wants, we spent it for our sinking fund for the projects,” Todiño said. /Christine Emily Pantaleon, Correspondent