Students and lecturers of Hồng Bàng International University make hand sanitisers for distribution in the university amid the novel coronavirus epidemic. Photo courtesy of the university

HCM CITY— Lecturers and students at many universities in HCM City and elsewhere are making hand sanitisers, which are much in demand, and giving them for free to staff and students amid the public health emergency caused by the new strain of coronavirus.

At Hồng Bàng International University in the city, a team of lecturers and students from its biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical departments has made 500 bottles of the sanitisers in various sizes and handed them over to staff and students.

They are made from 70 per cent ethanol and essential oils of cajeput, orange, coconut, and others.  

The university said the product had been approved by the Pasteur Institute.

Assoc Prof Dr Hồ Thanh Phong, the university’s rector, said enough is being made for staff and students to use daily.

The university has also made surgical masks for them.

On February 2 a group of staff and students of organic chemical engineering at the HCM City University of Technology also made instant hand sanitiser, surface sanitiser spray and anti-bacterial handwash.

They have been put in buildings, meeting rooms and other locations around the campus.

Besides, 50-100ml bottles have been handed over to lecturers.

In the dormitory students’ body temperatures are being measured.

Miền Trung Industry and Trade College in the south-central province of Phú Yên has made instant hand sanitisers based on the formula recommended by the World Health Organization to donate to the public.

Lạc Hồng University in the southern province of Đồng Nai has made hand sanitisers using 70 per cent ethanol, glycerine and nanosilver for the public and its staff and students.

Online training                 

In HCM City the Departments of Education and Training and Health have collaborated to organise an online training workshop on preventive measures against the novel coronavirus for all principals, medical officials and teachers at schools throughout the city.

The education department has delivered more than 400,000 posters and brochures on preventive measures to schools.

All schools have been disinfected and equipped with body temperature measuring machines, face masks and hand sanitisers.

Schools are required to set up a quarantine area in their medical room for students with possible symptoms.

All schools in the city are closed until February 16.

Many universities such as Hoa Sen University have held online workshops and courses for their lecturers and students on the novel coronavirus. VNS