Saudi Arabia launched the first locally manufactured intensive-care ventilator, on Monday. The launching ceremony was held in the presence of Minister of Investment Eng. Khaled Al-Falih and Deputy Minister of Health for Planning and Development Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Rumaih. The new product was developed through a partnership between Medtronic Saudi Arabia, a leading global health technology company, and Al-Rowad Technical Systems Company.
The firms had the support and partnerships from the Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority. The partnership between the two companies would contribute to manufacturing 1,200 intensive-care ventilators annually, with an average Saudization of 46 percent of the employees within the first two years. They would increase the percentage of Saudization in the future by creating more job opportunities.
The partnership intends to transfer technological progress and contribute to supporting the local health system to enable the manufacture of medical devices locally in the Kingdom, in addition to creating many job opportunities for Saudis in the private sector.
The partnership also aims to work for the local manufacturing of advanced generation of ventilators for use in intensive care units and critical care units.
It is noteworthy that the Puritan Bennett 980 is the first homemade ventilator for intensive care and critical cases.
This device also helps patients breathe normally through its safe and smart design, and it provides support and comfort for intensive care unit patients, in addition to a high degree of safety.
