Malaysia: Newly-created robot to help doctors check on COVID-19 patients

A robot called Medibot is created in Malaysia to make the rounds on hospital wards to check on COVID-19 patients. (Photo: AFP)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian scientists have created a robot called Medibot that they hope will make the rounds on hospital wards to check on COVID-19 patients, reducing health workers' risk of infection.

The barrel-shaped, white robot on wheels is 1.5 meter tall and equipped with a camera and screen via which patients can communicate remotely with medics.

The invention, made by scientists at the International Islamic University Malaysia, is also fitted with a device to check patients' temperatures remotely.

It is aimed at helping nurses and doctors working on the wards with social distancing, said Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, a member of the team behind the invention.

It cost about 15,000 ringgit (3,500 USD) to built, and the university plans to trial it soon in their own private hospital, which does not treat virus patients, he said.

If that proves a success, the scientists hope it can be used in government hospitals where people with COVID-19 are sent.

As of April 13 afternoon, Malaysia had reported 4,683 confirmed cases, including 76 deaths.

From Thailand to Israel, robots are being used in the fight against the novel coronavirus, which has killed over 110,000 people worldwide./.