Global PPE Makes Critical Donation of Personal Protective Equipment for Native American Communities

Global PPE Aiding Partnership with Native Americans to Provide Essential Protective Gear to Underserved Reservation Communities

RESTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Global PPE, a healthcare startup committed to securing personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies for underserved communities, is working with Native American communities and businesses to provide critical PPE supplies to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Global PPE is aiding Partnership with Native Americans (PWNA), to reach those most at risk during this pandemic. PWNA, a Native-led, Native-serving nonprofit that aids remote and impoverished reservations, will be distributing Global PPE’s donation of 10,000 surgical masks to numerous tribal communities in the Southwest and Northern Plains regions.

“Tribal communities are lacking critical supplies that could help them minimize the spread of COVID-19, yet they continue to go without these items because of limited government aid,” said Joshua Arce, president and CEO of PWNA. “Donations are critical right now and the generous in-kind donation of masks from Global PPE will further us in doing all we can to ensure Native Americans are not left behind in this pandemic.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to severe shortages of PPE equipment across the United States. Global PPE was started to address this widespread shortage and ensure PPE solutions and critically needed medical supplies are available to those who need it, including underserved communities.

“COVID-19 continues to disproportionately put the health and lives of people of color and people in underserved communities at grave risk,” said Sanjay Puri, CEO of Global PPE. “Global PPE is committed to providing access to essential protective gear that has taken too long to reach these communities. Our support of PWNA is just the beginning of our commitment to the health and well-being of those in disadvantaged communities.”

Native American communities remain at a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus due to multiple factors, including overcrowded housing on the reservations as well as high rates of preexisting health conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease and respiratory illness. As of June 10, there have been more than 15,000 positive COVID-19 cases across Indian Country, with approximately 7,500 of those cases in the Navajo Nation.

About Global PPE

As the entire world fights the COVID-19 pandemic, the sudden and huge influx of infected patients has resulted in severe shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) across medical facilities in the country, severely risking the safety and lives of our healthcare professionals. Global PPE is committed to creating rapid and sustainable supplies of certified diagnostic/testing kits and medical consumables. For more information, visit www.global-ppe.com.

About Partnership With Native Americans

PWNA is a Native-led nonprofit committed to championing hope for a brighter future on under-resourced reservations. Established in 1990, PWNA collaborates with reservation programs to serve immediate needs and support long-term solutions for strong, self-sufficient Native American communities. Follow PWNA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, or visit www.NativePartnership.org.