ISLAMABAD: Acclaimed Pakistani fashion designer Asim Jofa is stepping up for Pakistan’s medical community by designing protective gear for health care workers on the frontline of the coronavirus battle in the country.
“Being a responsible Pakistani, it evoked a feeling in me to step up and help in whatever capacity I can,” Jofa told Arab News over the phone, adding that his brand decided “to make medical protective suits for our frontliners.”
Production of the medical suits began on Monday after Jofa and his team were given the go-ahead by the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) in Karachi for a prototype.
“We are happy to announce that, within less than 48 hours, we have successfully created a final prototype of a medical protective suit made according to the guidelines provided by medical experts... and thankfully we have gotten it approved by Dr. Seemi Jamali, Executive Director at JPMC,” Jofa tweeted late on Sunday.
Pakistan, just like the rest of the world, is facing an unprecedented crisis in trying to contain the spread of the virus with 18 deaths reported across the country as of Monday.
With limited resources and medical facilities to deal with the rising number of infections in the country; doctors, nurses and health practitioners are often forced to tackle infected patients without protective gear.
To fill the gap between demand and supply, Jofa and his team conceptualized a plan by teaming up with the JPMC and Jamali, to ensure that the suits produced were up to standard and as per guidelines.
“The suit is being made with PE material suitable for medical use. We are also researching on more materials which can be used,” Jofa said.
Jofa hopes the initiative “would encourage other brands to follow.”
“It’s a small contribution on our part... All the caregivers, including doctors, nurses, paramedics and people who are in the frontline fighting for us are our national heroes, and I admire their courage for rising to the challenge,” he said.