Addressing the shortage of medical supplies

The current crisis has not only prompted SAMS to send over medical professionals, but they have also been shipping critical medical goods that are in short supply to these Syrian refugee camps in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon, and within Syria if they can make it in safely.


Gina Panzieri, a consultant to small businesses around the United States, felt a strong urge this summer to do something for the victims of the crisis. She began volunteering with SAMS from her home in western Massachusetts a few months ago, mainly rounding up medical supplies--which range from portable X-rays to surgical masks--and freeing up some of the doctors from doing this "so they could spend more of their time treating people," she said.

Initially, she called up companies and asked for donations, but she has recently found more success talking to hospital material handlers who often set aside surplus medical supplies for nonprofits.

These supplies are distributed to Syrian refugee camps and also to proper hospitals in border countries like Turkey where a lot of the patients in critical condition are being sent. But mostly, medical supplies are needed on the ground in Syria.

"Doctors are literally taking medical supplies in," said Panzieri.

Panzieri will do her part next month. With a suitcase of medical products in tow, Panzieri and her 25-year-old son will fly to Jordan and volunteer with a doctor in a refugee camp. They plan to be there two weeks.

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