COVID-19: UI MASS PRODUCES HAND SANITISER; DISTRIBUTES SOME FREE

The University of Ibadan today presented the first batch of hand sanitiser it mass produced as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Named UICARE, the hand sanitiser comes in two types. One is spray-type that can be applied on surfaces and the hand. The other is the drop-type which is more viscous and can be applied only to the hand.

The production team, led by Professor K. Adebowale, Professor of Industrial Chemistry and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), included experts from some other departments and faculties such as Pharmacy, Science and Technology such as Prof P C Onianwa (Analytical/Environmental Chemistry), Professor O. A. Adegoke (Pharmaceutical Chemistry), Professor I. A. Oladosu (Organic Chemistry) among others.

According to the team leader, the reason for the production of the sanitiser was to rise to the acute shortage of good quality and affordable sanitiser in the market.

Professor Adebowale noted that most of the sanitiser brands in the market were too expensive for most people. “Some sold 100ml sanitiser for as much as N1,500. And some are too harsh for the skin because they contain as much as 90% alcohol. Some contain ingredients whose safety could not be ascertained. Thus, UICARE was made with utmost attention to potency as well as skin sensitivity”.

According to him, the “purpose of producing the sanitiser was not to make money for the University or for individuals; it was to make the product of good quality and accessible and affordable to members of the university community, to start with”.

The first batch of sanitiser was made up of 1000 bottles; the second batch, which is the drop type will be a little more than 1000 bottles.

Director of UishopweL, Prof O. J. Babayemi said the response of the university community to the sanitiser was that of instant acceptance. He described the sanitiser as “carefully conceptualised, scientifically formulated, and successfully produced by university experts … exceptionally solid in quality, super cheap and sufficient in quantity”.

UICARE will not be sold beyond the university community until it is registered with and approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Individuals within or visiting the university may, however, buy it from UishopweL.

A large number of UICARE bottles were given out free to the University of Ibadan Security personnel, University Health Centre (Jaja Clinic), staff of Works and Maintenance Department, and the University of Ibadan campus radio (Diamond FM).

Station Manager of Diamond FM, Mr Paul Emokhare, commended the University Management for the donation stating that it would greatly reassure station staff and volunteers of their safety at this crucial time.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that was first noticed in China in late 2019. Within months, it spread to about 180 countries of the world. Current records show that over 900,000 people have been infected globally, and over 45,000 deaths connected with the disease have been reported. However, over 190,000 people have recovered from the infection.

In Nigeria, the first confirmed case of Coronavirus infection was discovered in an Italian on 27 February. By Tuesday 31 March, the number of confirmed cases rose to 135 with 2 fatalities and 9 recoveries.

The use of hand sanitisers is one of the ways of preventing Coronavirus from spreading. Other ways are washing hands regularly with soap and running water, and maintaining safe social and physical distance.

The University of Ibadan has set up a comprehensive committee to handle its response to COVID-19. Individuals experiencing symptoms are advised to call:

UI Health Services:

08077125099

09062974561

UCH Hotlines:

08131733982

08177557039

08131733694

Oyo State COVID-19 EOC hotlines:

08095394000

08095863000