Adrian Pe, a Philippines-based OR nurse at The Medical City Iloilo (TMCI) is using his design skills to give back to the healthcare community. He saw firsthand the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and thought he could put his skills to work. Transforming his colleagues into colorful characters from their favorite television shows from the past, he helps bring joy to healthcare workers and patients alike.
Pe says that the cost for each suit depends on the materials used. So far he has used microfiber, parachute with silver lining and non-woven fiber. As a general rule the material should be fluid resistant or at least fluid repellant.
Initially the suits were crafted by staff members at TMCI who offered free labor bringing down production costs. As the project expanded Pe needed to pay seamstresses to help with production, providing opportunities for seamstresses to earn a living while Iloilo City is under quarantine.
According to Pe, simply utilizing the “Makeshift” sewing area at TMCI, they can produce 7- 10 sets per day. Now that he has employed seamstresses, they can produce 40-50 sets per day
Pe said, “The Barney hazmats and later the Teletubbies design were a product of serendipity.” It has proved difficult to source out materials leaving Pe to take whatever color materials he could find. Initially his supplier could only provide non-woven material in green, purple and yellow. When one of his friends commented that they looked like Teletubbies, he looked for red material to round out the group. Pe said, “I think colorful hazmats can help lessen the weariness and dread that is filling our hospitals nowadays. No matter what the color, the most important aspect to consider is the safety of our health care workers and patients; but if a little color can help make them feel a little better, then that’s great.”
—Jennifer Swartvagher
All photos courtesy of Adrian Pe
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