Etihad Engineering has partnered with Etihad Airways Medical Centre (EAMC) to produce face shields that will be provided to medical institutions across the UAE.

The engineering organisation was tasked with the job of designing and developing a face shield to protect medical professionals from contracting the novel-coronavirus (Covid-19).

The face shields are produced by an aviation-certified 3D printer that uses the latest selective laser sintering (SLS) technology which normally produces aircraft parts.

They are made entirely from recyclable material, making it a sustainable product, and the printer can produce approximately 42 pieces per day.

Etihad Engineering vice president of design, engineering & innovation, Bernhard Randerath, commented:

“We are committed to supporting the community and at a time when medical professionals are risking their lives every day to combat Covid-19, we are proud to be able to use Etihad Engineering’s technological capability to support our community in the UAE.

“It is in these challenging times that we must rely heavily on innovation to provide sustainable solutions that can help in the drive to overcome the challenges faced by the coronavirus.”

Etihad Aviation Group vice president of medical services, Dr Nadia Al Bastaki, added: “On behalf of the entire Etihad Aviation Group, we would like to send out a gesture of solidarity and support to all medical institutions and their teams in our community, by providing them with face shields developed especially for them.

“We are very fortunate to have access to innovative technology within the Etihad Group and when it came to testing the prototypes by EAMC doctors, they confirmed the shields were fit for medical use.

“Our ultimate objective is to provide medical professionals with an additional layer of protection when working hard to combat Covid-19.”

Etihad Airways Medical Centre has said that it will be working with medical institutions across the UAE to provide the reusable face masks to practitioners on the front line.

Visit etihadengineering.com for more information.