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The Covid-19 pandemic caused a huge spike in the amount of PPE used by all businesses in a bid to stay safe. To capitalise on the ongoing need a �������� student has launched a business which imports equipment from Central Europe to the UK.

Ondrej Obediar, who completed a masters in Applied Psychology in 2016, unfortunately suffered from Coronavirus last year. It was then that he realised the appeal of PPE businesses abroad wanting to expand into the UK market. With this in mind, he created Panacea Protective Equipment.

He said: “The idea is to import new products from Central Europe, like Slovakia and Czech Republic. We have products like disinfectant, disinfectant tunnels, specials masks and so on. We are also trying to sell high standard breathing units in the UK for the NHS.”

Despite the idea initially occurring during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ondrej emphasised the need for it outside of it.

“All these supplies which I’m bringing in are not uniquely for coronavirus,” he said, “they are related to pulmonary problems and can be used, for example, wherever people are exposed to infectious diseases and bacteria.

“It is not solely based on Coronavirus, it is based on infection control.”

Ondrej is part of the ��������’s business incubator, Launch@��������Uni. Launch was set up in 2018 with the idea of aiding students and alumni in developing their own business. As part of a six-month support programme, users get access to a plethora of support from the team, including training, guidance, office space and financial aid.

Justyna Turner, who runs the Launch @��������Uni incubator, said: “Ondrej has a clear goal with Panacea Protective Equipment and has shown his commitment to the business by applying himself to the courses we offer.

“I can see his business becoming quite successful and I am excited to see what else he can do throughout the remainder of his time with Launch.”

Ondrej said: “We are also in the process of approaching NHS supply chains and becoming a permanent company on the list of NHS suppliers.”

Ondrej hopes that Panacea Protective Equipment can be used as a resource in the UK – whether that be in universities or for the NHS – for disinfectant-based products.