Meanwhile, other organizations have stepped in
to assist hospitals in need of supplies.
The Afya Foundation, a charity that normally
sends poor countries medical supplies donated
by New York-area hospitals, switched roles in
March after those hospitals requested help, said
founder Danielle Butin.
Afya has been sending items donated by nail
and beauty salons, auto repair shops, plastic
surgeons and even farmers. It has already sent
about 140,000 masks alone to more than 110
hospitals and other medical facilities in the New
York City area.
Health Equip — an app linking the hospital
association, Kaiser Permanente, UPS and
consultant Kearney — is collecting unused
protective gear donated by construction
companies, dental practices and other
businesses, plus gear made by alternative
manufacturers, and matching it to the hospitals
closest and most in need.
“The demand is incredibly high,” said Suketu
Gandhi, Kearney’s digital supply chain head.
Health Equip already has received 136,000
donated pieces of protective equipment, mostly
masks, which are being sent to more than 100
hospitals nationwide.
Another collaboration, RetailersUnited, is
connecting hospitals with manufacturers and
other businesses that want to donate services,
materials or money.
The goal is to get manufacturers to temporarily
make personal protective equipment. Among
recent pledges: Hasbro is making face shields
and designer brand Lacoste is making masks.