Donations of a range of essential medical grade personal protective equipment are being sent to the Nanaimo Division of Family Practice. Those donations are going to clinics throughout the region and NRGH. (Nanaimo Division of Family Practice)

By Ian Holmes

medical donations

Thousands of critical items pouring in to help Nanaimo’s frontline workers

Apr 1, 2020 | 4:51 PM

NANAIMO — There is an overwhelming answer to the call for more personal protection equipment for those on the frontlines in Nanaimo during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Nanaimo Division of Family Practice recently launched an online donation platform to accept items in short supply, like medical masks and face shields, hand sanitizer, as well as disposable gowns and gloves.

Leslie Keenan, executive director, said people in the Nanaimo area “stepped up in a big way. “Thousands of critical items are being donated from a wide range of sources, from dental offices and construction sites to people’s basements.

“When they hear about the need for face shields or goggles, there’s people coming from across disciplines to try and make that happen,” Keenan told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Donors can choose to send equipment to family medical practices, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital or where it’s most needed.

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Keenan said with so many donations sent in, additional off-site storage was arranged and gifted to their organization this week.

“It’s just another example of the community wanting to come together to help.”

While the Nanaimo Division of Family Practice advocates primarily for the Nanaimo region, Keenan said donations are also addressing shortages at clinics in Ladysmith and Parksville-Qualicum.

Items donated must be of medical grade. Keenan said items like homemade cloth masks don’t provide a high enough standard of protection for medical professionals.

The donation drive will go until it’s no longer needed, Keenan said.

“We’re doing this as an interim measure to help people out while they’re waiting for their own supply orders to come in. Some of those are a bit backlogged.”

An Island Health statement said it’s maximizing its equipment supply by reducing non-urgent procedures and limiting non essential activities not directly related to patient care.

“Island Health has been working with Vancouver Island post-secondary institutions and other local producers to develop 3D printed laser cut plastic prototypes for face shields that meet health system standards.”

On Monday, March 30 Health Minister Adrian Dix acknowledged the province’s challenges with equipment shortages, but said said bulk shipments continue to be delivered.

“We’re taking significant steps to ensure they’re protected and have the appropriate PPE when they need it and where they need it.”

The Government of B.C. is expected to unveil a strategy on April 1 to connect companies able to outfit healthcare facilities with necessary equipment.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes