Interviews
Name: Vincent Garvey
TCD Qualifications: BAI (1981)
Title: Vincent runs an engineering consultancy firm in China, MD Devices.
About: Vincent Garvey is a semi-retired British engineer, turned health innovator who was recently awarded as The George Institute of Health's official winner of the 2016 Affordable Dialysis Prize. Vincent's winning entry is a device capable of sterilising water and preparing solution fit for dialysis in places where the electricity supply is unreliable and the source water supply may be contaminated.
What was your earliest childhood ambition?
To manoeuvre my pedalling car with greater speed and precision around the dining room floor.
What made you decide to study engineering at Trinity?
I liked the idea of spending the first three years studying general engineering science rather than rushing into the specialised engineering sub-disciplines. It struck me as more “education” than “skills training”.
What are your memories from Trinity in the late 70s/early 80s?
Buttery, Hist, a great rapport with some of the lecturers and being able to find funds for beer in spite of being always broke.
A resident of Isle of Man for over 25 years, and travelling constantly to China for the past 15 years. What made you decide to move to the Isle of Man?
I was determined to make it in Ireland. Many classmates had emigrated, and built successful careers abroad. It somehow seemed to me a soft option. I therefore started my own manufacturing company in Ireland from 1978 to 1988. It was hard work, and the overall economic environment was challenging. Finally, I felt my family deserved better, and moved to a more benign economic environment.
What inspired you to take on the challenge of the Affordable Dialysis Prize 2016?
I was looking for a retirement challenge. During one’s working career, projects must be more or less low-risk – after all, the bills need to be paid each month! In retirement however, it is OK to tackle the 'impossible', provided it is fun. The Lancet had just published a paper, highlighting the fact that between 3 and 4 million people were dying horrific and needless deaths. How could I walk away having read that?
Tell us about the design you created that won the prize?
At the very heart of all types of Dialysis is the need for very pure water. Big Pharma companies produce WFI (water for injection) in large plants with extensive quality control systems and many skilled technicians and engineers to hand. They then combine it with essential medical grade additives, package it, and deliver to patients.
The design was fairly easy: We take this entire factory, follow exactly the same processes, but miniaturise it so that you can carry it around. We then link it using smart technology so that all the essential quality control and safety monitoring is provided by central experts.
What ambitions do you still have?
I would love to see this project through to volume production. The analysis by The Lancet of the need has been reinforced by the feedback and comments received since winning the award from The George Institute. I cannot possibly drop it now, and of course, I always enjoyed a challenge, and they don’t come much bigger than building a $20bn business. A perfect retirement hobby.
Do you get to visit Ireland often, and is there anything you miss from home?
I usually get back at least once a year. My dad’s birthday falls on New Year’s Eve which makes for a convenient target date and at 95 his legendary Sunday Roast is still worth the trip. My two daughters and grandchildren live in Ireland, yet another compelling excuse to visit. My son lives with his family in Wollongong, adding a bit of diversity to my annual pilgrimages.
I miss having missed out on the whole Celtic Tiger era. It is fantastic to see the degree of renovation the country has experienced over 25 years. Perhaps it’s not too late to join the next revolution...