Technilamp Wins Namibian UVGI Contract

Technilamp, a leading South African manufacturer and supplier of UVGI systems has just completed a contract to install Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) lamps at the Katutura State Hospital, Katutura Outpatient Clinic and the Walvis Bay MDR TB Clinic.  Namibia is one of the world's two worst affected countries in terms of TB infections and fatalities and the UVGI systems have been installed in a bid to dramatically reduce the spread of the disease in the clinics as well as reduce the risk of contracting the disease by care givers and staff.

The contract is worth over R1million and funding for the project was provided by the European Union.   The entire installation was completed by Technilamp within 10 days.

“TB generally affects mainly the poorer sections of society and the problem is further exacerbated by the HIV/Aids pandemic.  People who are immune-compromised are at considerable risk of contracting the disease and in addition, there is a significant risk for the healthcare workers in the clinics who are exposed to the disease every day.  Internationally Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a proven and cost effective means of killing off viruses and bacteria and more and more healthcare institutions are investing in the UVGI systems as a means of dramatically reducing the spread of communicable diseases.   The UVGI systems are effective against virtually all communicable viruses and bacteria and in particular have proven highly efficient in the fight against TB,” says Waldo van Niekerk, Managing Director of Technilamp, a leading manufacturer of UVGI systems.

In a study by Dr Edward Nardel of the Harvard Medical School comparing the efficacy of fans, filters or rays in the fight against TB, he noted that health care workers live in the corridors of hospitals, which are also important conduits of air and patients.  The study concluded that the only technology inexpensive and potentially effective enough to be considered for the purpose of disinfecting air in corridors, waiting areas and emergency rooms, as well as isolation rooms is ultraviolet germicidal irradiation.

Medical professionals have used ultraviolet irradiation in operating theatres and general wards around the world since 1937. Clinical tests conducted in general wards proved that the overall infection rates declined by more than 78% with the introduction of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI).  These tests are in accordance with a study recently published which stated that ultraviolet lights could reduce the spread of TB in hospitals and waiting rooms by up to 70%.

For more information contact Technilamp on 011 839-1837 or visit www.technilamp.co.za