Stock photo: Pixabay

Sophie Gray

Local Journalism Initiative

The Province of B.C. has launched an online platform to co-ordinate, source and expedite medical supplies and personal protective equipment for frontline health workers in the fight against COVID-19.

The portal, called the COVID-19 Supply Hub, is in partnership with the Digital Technology Supercluster and the Business Council of British Columbia and provides a single point of entry to organizes donations of essential supplies, said the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General in an emailed statement.

The COVID-19 Supply Hub will complement existing provincial systems and work in co-ordination with these and other federal supply initiatives to collect and distribute PPE and other medical supplies. The launch of this online platform shows the impact partnerships between Canadian technology companies, businesses and government bodies can have during this pandemic.

“Partnership and co-ordination are critical to keep our front-line workers safe and support our COVID-19 response and recovery,” said Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnsworth. “Launching the COVID-19 Supply Hub is an important step in maintaining our supply chain and making sure essential goods and services are getting where they need to go, and fast.”

This platform, developed by B.C. tech company Traction on Demand, will make the specific needs of supplies healthcare workers publicly available, focusing first on sourcing supplies. The Supply Hub will then streamline the process for getting the right products to the right people, said the Ministry in the statement.

Developed under B.C.’s state of emergency, the hub is intended to support the Province’s response and recovery to COVID-19. It will be managed by the new Provincial Supply Coordination Unit and the Provincial Health Services Authority.

Michelle Mungall, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness said she is proud of B.C.’s tech companies and business community for turning this project around in such a short time.

“This initiative demonstrates how tech can be used quickly to make a difference in people’s lives. They are finding unique ways to help front-line workers meet the needs of those impacted most by COVID-19.”

Companies can go to the Supply Hub website at www.gov.bc.ca/supplyhub to offer support or supplies.