April 23, 2020
Province Receives Substantial Order of Personal Protective Equipment
– – –Arrival of PPE Will Help Support Front-line Fight Against COVID-19: Helwer
The Manitoba government is welcoming the arrival of a large order of personal protective equipment (PPE) to help in the fight against COVID-19, Central Services Minister Reg Helwer announced today.
“Our government has committed $400 million for the COVID-19 Procurement Fund as part of our Manitoba Protection Plan,” said Helwer. “Thanks to our ongoing procurement efforts, we are very pleased to have taken delivery of a substantial order of personal protective equipment for our front-line health-care workers.”
This shipment, which landed in Winnipeg Tuesday afternoon on a chartered Air Canada Boeing 777, contains 150,000 disposable isolation gowns. This order was supplied by SpiritRx Services, a Manitoba-based medical supply company owned by the Spirit Healthcare Group representing the seven tribal councils of Manitoba.
“The Spirit Healthcare Group was pleased to have had the opportunity to work with the Manitoba government,” said Heather Berthelette, CEO, Spirit Healthcare Group, and Chief Dennis Meeches, board chair. “Our First Nations, Manitoba-based company was able to source and supply this much-needed personal protective equipment required by the province.”
“We want to thank all of our partners who helped ensure the successful delivery of this vitally important personal protective equipment,” Helwer said. “Our government will continue to source and acquire the PPE and other supplies needed to keep Manitobans safe and ensure that our province wins in the fight against COVID-19.”
The Manitoba government continues to call on manufacturers, businesses and other organizations to assist in procurement efforts.
The province is asking manufacturers or businesses to visit the COVID-19 portal at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/business/index.html if:
• they can rapidly scale up production or retool manufacturing lines to develop products made in Manitoba to help in the fight against COVID-19; or
• they have a stock of personal protective equipment that is not being used due to closures and physical distancing.
In addition, Manitoba businesses can donate unused personal protective equipment supplies in original packaging, clean and in useable condition. More information can be found at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/supply-donations/.
For more information about COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19 and a comprehensive list of Manitoba government COVID-19 measures can be found at https://manitoba.ca/bg/2020/04/covid19.html.
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