Mumbai : India’s leading reusable diaper brand Superbottoms develops reusable cloth face masks and is serving them to hospitals and other essential service providers in Mumbai on a no-profit basis

A month back when the outbreak in our country wasn’t so serious, Superbottoms founder Pallavi Utagi got a message from a doctor in a Kerala hospital, Dr Neelima CK, suggesting Superbottoms to make cloth masks because they could already see an apparent shortage of disposable masks then. Superbottoms was using 100% cotton fabric in making reusable diapers for babies and once they got this request they immediately got into action and were able to quickly develop masks out of this cotton fabric. These masks have a pocket which can be used to insert a non-woven fabric as a filter. The masks were developed in a record time and delivered to hospitals across Mumbai.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr Rohan Salunkhe, Oncologist at Mahatma Phule Charitable trust Hospital said, “There are some patients who are more vulnerable to catch infections since they have head neck cancers and are immune compromised, some are on tracheostomies or nasal gastric feeding tubes, some are even conscious about facial disfigurement after surgery. These patients come with a handkerchief to cover their face, which clearly is not enough in current circumstances. Superbottoms masks will provide superior protection as these patients travel to hospitals for treatment even during lockdown’. While not a replacement for the N95 masks, the reusable masks would help these patients come to hospital for treatment without fear especially at a time where surgical masks/N95 are hard to get. Apart from patients in cancer care segment, these masks have been supplied to healthcare support staff working in hospitals which will significantly reduce their exposure to infections. Today awareness about reusable mask with high efficiency also will make people hoard less on N95/Surgical masks making it available to our frontline warriors thus benefiting the healthcare system.”

According to an advisory issued by the health ministry of India, people who are not suffering from medical conditions or having breathing difficulties have been guided to use the handmade reusable face cover and masks as masks have been proven as effective in reducing the spread of Corona virus, COVID-19. Superbottoms is getting a lot of requests for these masks and they believe these reusable masks, if maintained and washed well, will help immensely in dealing with the acute shortage of disposable masks that is expected to occur in a population of 1.3 billion people who do not have enough supplies to protect themselves from contracting the coronavirus. To ensure the hygiene and maintenance of the masks, they consulted a microbiologist, Dr Nita Gangurde, who recommended that these masks be washed in hot water every 24 hours or when wet with thorough cleaning to ensure safety and hygiene. Superbottoms is now ramping up their supply in view of the high number of enquiries they have received for these masks and intends to supply them to their customers as well soon.