Fashion designer helps hospitals - 18th January 2021

Fashion designer Lakshmi Menon is helping hospitals in Kerala, India. She has had a new idea which is making sure people with Covid are comfortable.

During the pandemic, the Indian government has created special centres for Covid patients. Each centre needs 50 beds. The centres need to replace the mattress every time a patient leaves. This is because coronavirus stays in the mattress. But there weren't many mattresses in Kerala.

Luckily, Menon had an idea to help out. Her idea was to make the beds from waste plastic.

India has huge numbers of PPE factories. These factories make protective clothing and masks for health workers around the world. During the production process, the factories throw away a lot of waste plastic. But Menon makes use of it.

Her beds only cost 300 rupees (£3). This is 50 per cent cheaper than normal beds. It helps the environment too.

Menon first started making beds for homeless people. She thinks "a good night's sleep" is important for everyone.