Filipino innovation used in Ethiopia’s COVID response

MANILA, Philippines — The Ethiopian government has tapped Filipino engineers and teachers to develop a pedal-operated hand washing technology to support the country’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Federal Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institute of Ethiopia tapped the team of Filipinos, who conceptualized a mechanically operated technology that is now being used in response to the pandemic.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Filipino team developed two prototypes for a pedal-operated hand washer, including one that was funded by German development agency GIZ.

The technology had been installed in several areas around the capital Addis Ababa, the DFA said, citing information from the Filipino community in Ethiopia.

Another prototype design is being used in regional colleges to produce similar hand washing units for localities.

The DFA said more teachers have reproduced the design, with the technology widely praised on social media in the African country.