US Government Invests in Medical Gown Stockpile
The US government is spending at least $350 million to manufacture medical gowns for the Strategic National Stockpile.
This investment comes years after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) in hospitals, leaving doctors and nurses without essential gear.
The purchase of the gowns is one of the final steps toward shoring up the personal protective equipment in the stockpile after it was depleted just weeks into the COVID pandemic.
According to assistant secretary Dawn O’Connell, the new gowns are part of a larger effort by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response to restock the emergency coffers.
- 6 US companies will manufacture the medical gowns.
- The investment aims to prevent future shortages of PPE.
Author's summary: US invests $350 million in medical gown stockpile.