Question

The healthcare supply chain is facing acute disruptions amid the global health crisis of COVID19 outbreak. Hospitals are already reporting shortages of key equipment needed to care for critically ill patients, including ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical staff. As a graduate student in logistics and supply chain management program, do you have any suggestions to mitigate the disruptions, especially for the healthcare supply chain in Canada?

Answer 1

The suggestions to mitigate disruptions due to COVID19, especially for the healthcare supply chains in Canada are as follows:

• The existing manufacturing facilities in the country like auto manufacturing, equipment manufacturing, etc may be used for the large scale manufacturing of Ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment.
• The manufacturing facilities of Apparel manufacturers in Canada may be utilized for the mass production of Face masks.
• The manufacturing facilities of Chemical Industries may be used for large scale production of Hand sanitizers.
• The global supply chain should be utilized. Key equipment and medicines may be imported from countries that have an ample supply of these items.
• Large stadiums, convention centers, etc may be utilized for setting up temporary medical centers where more patients could be treated.
• Large vehicles like School buses, Private buses may be utilized for strengthening logistics. These vehicles may be useful for moving patients, equipment, etc.