Medical students from McMaster University and the University of Toronto have joined forces to create 3D-printed face shields for front-line health-care workers impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

A campaign called 3D PPE for GTHA aims to support workers in hospitals and community medical clinics in Hamilton, Toronto and the Niagara Region.

Gaurav Talwar, a second-year medical student at McMaster, is among a core group of students that launched the campaign about two weeks ago. Since then, the campaign has recruited close to 130 volunteers and core members who manage everything from hospital outreach to production, transport and assembly.

Volunteers are currently producing about 800 to 900 face shields a week, but with additional support, that number could grow.

“As we get more funding, we could easily ramp that up to 1,500 or 2,000,” said Talwar.

Each face shield costs about $2.50, including expenses such as plastic material costs, filament, laser cutting, sterilization and transportation.

About $9,000 has been raised through online fundraising as of April 16, including about $5,000 which has already been spent.

Volunteers have been in contact with approximately 11 hospitals and 11 clinics thus far.

The medical students have partnered with Humanity First Canada, which offers an online donation platform through Canadahelps.org. Donors can also support the effort through a GoFundMe campaign. Volunteers, preferably with medical experience, can visit the website: 3dppegtha.ca for more information and to express their interest. Physical distancing among volunteers in prioritized.

Talwar notes the effort is entirely student-led and operating independently from the universities themselves.

Volunteers have distributed around 1,800 face shields as of April 16, said Talwar. But the group has fielded requests for over 14,000 units.

To help address an anticipated surge in COVID-19 cases over the coming days, the 3D PPE group is looking for additional donations of cash and in-kind services, such as 3D printing and laser cutting. The group currently has access to 78 3D printers.

Talwar said volunteers are committed to helping health-care workers weather the COVID-19 storm.

“There’s no turning back at this point,” said Talwar, “as long as we have funds to be able to donate these shields.”

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During the pandemic, Talwar and other McMaster and U of T medical students have transitioned to online lectures. Electives and clinical duties are currently on hold.

Talwar said it’s possible that students could resume their clinical duties sometime in July, but there are no guaranteed timelines at this point.