Lessons Learned from Rapid Development of CPAP Ventilator Vent-I during Covid-19 Pandemic in Indonesia

Here, lessons learned during the development of the CPAP ventilator ‘Vent-I’, aimed to help COVID-19 patients with breathing difficulties, are presented. Within only weeks, the Vent-I was developed, complying with functionality, safety and reliability requirements and passing the clinical trial. It was then distributed to hospitals all over Indonesia. Two billion rupiahs were raised through crowdfunding within one week. When the project was officially closed, more than one thousand Vent-I devices had been distributed and more than twelve and a half billion rupiahs had been raised. Currently, commercialization and mass production of the device have been started. From this project several lessons can be learned. First and foremost, the spirit of gotong royong – sincere collaboration within the community to help each other – is still firmly rooted within the people and the society of Indonesia. Noble values, i.e. sincerity, sensitivity and concern about the needs of the community, willingness to serve voluntarily and public trust, made the team dare to try and face failure. The spirit of social entrepreneurship, willingness to listen to the user and collaboration with the relevant authority can accelerate development process. The availability of knowledge and skills that constitute an innovation ecosystem in Bandung, supported by business, social institutions and government, was also a key success factor. .