M.I.U. (Mobile Isolation Unit)

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  This is the layout of the MIU.

A Clear Problem Statement

Hospital bed space is a critical factor in the fight against COVID-19. As more and more people are becoming infected by the coronavirus this has become a very important resource. This problem is already being felt in Cebu with hospitals already overflowing with patients, and some are dying while waiting for room availability.

The Cebu scenario can easily happen in the cities and towns of Mindanao; it may only be a matter of time. Thus, there is an urgent need to find an alternative, sustainable, and viable solution to the scarcity of hospital bed space.

Identified Challenge Area

The identified challenge area is parts of Mindanao that have COVID-19 cases such as Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and neighboring towns.

Inspiration

As a team, we were inspired to, first and foremost, help the patients infected with COVID-19. We found our inspiration in certain hotels located in Bantayan Island that converted container vans into hotel rooms.

Target Users/Audience

The target users are COVID-19 patients.

What is the proposed solution?

Our proposed solution is the MIU (Mobile Isolation Unit). Container vans will be converted into isolation units that will house COVID-19 patients. The container van will be converted into the following ways:

1. The top of the vehicle will be replaced by a nipa hut for insulation and roofing to make it cool. This will also eliminate the use of air conditioners which will further spread the virus. Placing solar panels atop the hut is also possible to provide basic electricity and make it more sustainable.

2. A sliding door will serve as the entrance. There will be screen windows as well for good ventilation.

3. Inside, there are four rooms, all separated by metal walls. There, COVID-19 patients will be housed for as long as they have the illness.

4. An extended section of the MIU will serve as a bathroom. This will be from a 20-foot container adjoining the main 40-foot container.

5. The furniture inside the MIU will be crafted by local businesses as a way to assist them in the midst of the pandemic. Local and indigenous materials will be used in the interior to support local products.

Relevance

This solution is relevant because it is both urgently needed and sustainable. It offers a solution for the question of where COVID-19 patients can go if hospital space is filled up. The MIU is also not a "one-time-use" solution as there are still many possibilities for usage after COVID such as housing centers, police outposts, and so much more.

How we built it

We built the prototype for the MIU on our laptops, particularly on the website and app Minecraft and Room Planner, respectively.

Challenges we ran into

Initially, we had challenges trying to come up with a unique and viable solution. After we all decided on a solution, we encountered some problems regarding the design of the MIU.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of our work as a team, especially considering the fact that we had a limited time to think of a viable solution. We are also proud of the fact that we were able to come up with a solution that is sustainable and able to make use of what was originally unused amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

What we learned

Through our teamwork, we became more knowledgeable about COVID-19, specifically on how it can truly affect people and what people can do to repel it. We also learned how to work better as a team despite challenges and various technical difficulties.

What's next for M.I.U. (Mobile Isolation Unit)

We members of Team MIU sincerely hope that this solution will be considered viable enough to be picked as a way to further help the people of Mindanao in the healthcare area.