The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently donated nano-structured alcohol to two government hospitals in Bataan to help them combat the further spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Catalina V. De Leon-Cruz, DOST Bataan Provincial Director, said that the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) in City of Balanga received 200 liters while the Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital (MMWGH) received 150 liters of the nano-structured alcohol from the agency.
“We are very optimistic that this project will help our front liners in their everyday battle against this pandemic,” De Leon – Cruz said.The nano-structured alcohol was formulated and mass-produced by the Nanotechnology Research and Development Facility of the Central Luzon State University, based at the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija.
DOST partnered with CLSU to manufacture about 15,000 liters of the nano-structured alcohol for distribution to selected hospitals across Central Luzon region.
Dr. Juvy Monserate, project leader of the CLSU Nanotechnology R&D Facility stated that the nano-structured alcohol, which is made up of 70% ethyl alcohol infused with nanoparticles and laden with turmeric extracts, could kill the H1N1 influenza and the SARS viruses which are both a family of the coronaviruses. It can be used as antiseptic for sterilizing surfaces, thus preventing the spread of viruses.
De Leon-Cruz acknowledged the assistance of the Bataan Peninsula State University in City of Balanga, Bataan in the distribution of the nano-structured alcohol in Bataan.
“BPSU, in coordination with CLSU, arranged the transport of the items from CLSU up to the distribution to the recipient hospitals. CLSU, BPSU and DOST are working together to bring this newly developed alcohol to various health institutions in our province to help replenish their supply,” she added.
Cruz further mentioned there will be a second batch of the delivery to Bataan which will benefit various Rural Health Units (RHUs) in the province. DOST Region III provided the P1.25 million for the project.
Previously, both BGHMC and MMWGH were also recipients of the previously delivered specimen collection booths from DOST for zero-contact between the medical personnel getting specimen for COVID-19 testing and the patient providing the samples.