Midwest Asian Health Association, LanzaTech Donate Over 5,000 Personal Protective Equipment to Alivio Medical Center
Alivio Medical Center received a donation of 5,000 surgical masks from Midwest Asian Health Association (MAHA) and nearly 300 N95 masks from LanzaTech to help protect Alivio’s providers and staff as they continue to provide care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health care providers are at the forefront of this fight with COVID-19. It is critical for hospitals, and health centers like Alivio to continue to have the resources to operate at its maximum capacity. There is a national shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health care providers, and unlike hospital systems, community health centers like Alivio will not be the first priority of equipment deployment by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Thus, Alivio will need to seek equipment from private vendors, whose inventory is scarce.
Per CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines, Alivio has taken some preventative measures to protect its patients and community. Alivio has canceled all wellness appointments and elective procedures to encourage its patients to stay home. However, there are many patients such as children, pregnant women, pregnancy testing and sick patients that still need to be seen. That is why Alivio has implemented many changes including screenings at the door for every person that comes into its clinic. And adequate PPE is necessary to continue to deliver much needed services, while protecting its staff.
MAHA quickly mobilized to offer some relief during this time to organizations like Alivio and launched the Chicago Chinese-American Community Anti-COVID-19 Fund Drive with a purpose to call on Chicago’s Chinese community to spread love by donating needed PPE to aid the health care providers in Chicagoland during these difficult times.
“We are calling the entire Chinese community and all organizations to join us in our efforts”, said Dr. Hong Liu, Executive Director of the Midwest Asian Health Association (MAHA).”
Health centers must continue to provide health care services to vulnerable populations such as low-income, uninsured and undocumented. Alivio is committed to being a trusted organization that cares for all that seek medical care. Now more than ever, the community needs Alivio to be able to serve those that have nowhere else to turn.
“Our sincere gratitude for the recent donation from MAHA and LanzaTech,” said Esther Corpuz, Chief Executive Director of Alivio. “We are truly grateful to receive the critical equipment needed to provide care to our patients. Alivio is fortunate to be part of a community that organizes and takes action.”
Special thank you to MAHA’s partners: American Fujian Chamber of Commerce, Global Friendship Exchange Foundation, Chicago North Shore Chinese Center, TAOS Global Group, GCC Women’s Chamber of Commerce, ADI Medical, Inc., Beijing Normal University Alumni Association, Xilin Association, Guangzhou Association, Happy For Fitness, Asian American Leadership Council, and Chicago 168 Fitness.