PATIENT and healthcare worker safety in South African hospitals is set to reach a new level of excellence with the launch of the revolutionary HERO21 robotic sanitisation system – the first two units of which have been installed at Polokwane Provincial Hospital.
The system is used in medical environments as well as other industries to disinfect rooms, protect employees and significantly reduce the risk of infections. The robotic system was developed by German company ICA Health, endorsed by Ruhr University Bochum and global electronics group Omron Corporation. Omron is responsible for the production of the robotics components, which are supported by its South African operation.
Mamello Clinical Solutions (MCS) is the exclusive distributor and service partner for the HERO21 system for sub-Saharan Africa.
Business development manager at MCS, Robert Makhubedu, explains: “The HERO21 robot incorporates pioneering ultraviolet-C disinfection technology, which addresses the hygiene challenges of our time.”
“The robot provides the highest level of disinfection performance and thus offers optimal protection. When first disinfecting contaminated rooms with the HERO21, the cleaning staff who normally work in the front line are exposed to a far lower risk of infection,” Makhubedu says.
UVC radiation destroys all pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, in the targeted environment. Because UVC radiation is effective on its own, the HERO21 robot is a dry, chemical-free system.
“We are pleased to have been able to deliver the first HERO21 disinfection robots to South Africa. We have found in Mamello Clinical Solutions, an ideal service and sales partner for a long and successful partnership. With the successful installation of the first two devices in Polokwane, a major milestone has been reached,” says Steffen Kriege, head of product management at ICA Health.
Commenting on the relationship between Omron and ICA Health, Omron robotisation solutions co-ordinator, Evert Jansen Van Vuuren says: “The robot disinfects multiple areas so that people from all walks of life can work in a safe germ-free environment.”
The HERO21 system is effective in high-risk areas including operating theatres, emergency rooms, and ICUs – as well as in other hospital settings. Because UVC radiation is dangerous, people are removed from the room to be sanitised and the robot moves through the space. Disinfection is achieved automatically, precisely, quickly, and efficiently.
The robot achieves a disinfection level of over 99.99 percent with a coverage of 360 degrees in the designated area. The cleaning cycle takes between two to three minutes to disinfect an average sized room such as an operating theatre. The robot’s navigation system in the target area is driven by world-renowned Omron LD90 robotics.
“Our strategy is to become a distributor of choice for the world’s leading equipment and technology manufacturers, specifically geared to South African conditions. This partnership with Omron means that we are adding new brands, products, and software systems to our range to serve a broader customer base. The HERO21 robot will make a massive difference in terms of patient and worker safety. It is an economically validated, reliable solution,” Makhubedu concludes.
Apart from applications in the medical and healthcare sectors, the HERO21 is also suited for other industries such as hotels, restaurants and catering, pharmaceuticals and corporate office buildings.
