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A hand washing device operated by foot. [Edwin Nyarangi, Standard]
A public health officer has invented a foot operated hand-washing equipment that minimises infections.
The device does not need one to open and close the tap or press the plastic bottle to dispense soap using hands which is a common practice in many places.
Osinde Keari of Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital says the innovation was triggered by the fact that a hospital setting is prone to many infections.
“One only needs to step on a pedal on the lower part of the equipment for the liquid soap and water to flow from a container for someone to wash their hands without touching the tap,” says Keari.
The Public Health Officer says many infections are brought about by the custom of people shaking hands and touching washroom door handles, which are in most cases contaminated with germs.
Public health officers and other staff at the county hospital's administration block use the hand washing device comfortably and reduce spread of germs.
Melitus Kabar, a public health officer, says Keari’s device is commendable.
“Most staff at the county hospital like using this device unlike where they are forced to open taps and look for soap, which most people frown upon for fear of getting infections,” says Kabar.
Keari, who is a currently studying for a Masters Degree in Public Health at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, also loves mechanic work despite not having studied the course.
He has also made his own mobile stone crusher able to crush 15-20 tonnes of ballast a day. The machine is pulled around using a 50-year-old self-starting tractor.
Keari says it took him two years to come up with the crushing machine, spending almost Sh200,000 in the process.
He says he has been using the machine in his personal works at home and sometimes assist friends and neighbours. He says he intends to improve on it when he retires.
“I gained most of my skills when I was seconded to the Lake Basin Development Authority where I served under the Rural Domestic Water Supply Programme for 10 years in the Kisii region,” says Keari.
He says he has two years to retire from the public service after which he will have ample time to perfect his skills unlike now when he works on them during his free time.
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