New website connects organizations with equipment providers

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A new online portal that connects those in need of essential supplies and equipment with potential providers has launched.

The S.C. Emergency Supply Collaborative portal, located at www.SCCOVID19.org, is a collaboration among the S.C Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the S.C. Hospital Association, the S.C. Department of Commerce and SCBio. It allows companies and community partners that can quickly produce, source, test, certify or contribute medical supplies — such as face shields, masks and ventilators — to connect with health care providers, first responders and industries.

Manufacturers can identify supplies and equipment they can offer in the site’s central repository. Organizations in need of materials will be reviewed and vetted by a team from the collaborative and connected directly to a provider.

Chuck Spangler, president of SCMEP, said the site was created after collaborative members fielded hundreds of calls from organizations in need of such supplies.

“Each of our respective organizations has strong and indelible positions as sources of information, connection and aid to our respective constituencies, so it was logical for those parties — whether hospitals or manufacturers, existing industry or life sciences organizations — to turn to us in time of need,” Spangler said in a news release.  “After sharing among ourselves the flood of requests we were individually receiving and trying to manage, we determined that a combined approach would offer greatest value and efficiency for our state and its citizens.”

The site will be updated frequently with new information and opportunities to support state emergency response efforts, according to the release.

“This is a joint effort to recruit community partners with ability to quickly source or provide needed medical supplies to support South Carolina’s COVID-19 response,” said Thornton Kirby, president and CEO of the S.C. Hospital Association.