Skip to main content

Columbia Business Monthly

1.5 Million Masks Delivered to Healthcare Workers in South Carolina

Apr 25, 2020 03:24PM ● By David Dykes

(PRNewsfoto/Boeing)

Roughly 1.5 million medical-grade 3-ply surgical face masks bound for healthcare workers in South Carolina were delivered Sunday, April 26, at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.

Prisma Health officials, along with Gov. Henry McMaster and members of South Carolina’s congressional delegation, met a Boeing Dreamlifter – a converted Boeing 747-400 large cargo freighter  – filled with the surgical ear loop masks.

The Dreamlifter flew from Hong Kong to Greenville with the face masks in its lower lobe. 

Prisma Health and Boeing officials said Discommon, the importer for the delivery, secured the personal protective equipment from manufacturers in China and turned to Boeing and Atlas Air to facilitate the transport to Prisma Health, the largest healthcare system in South Carolina. 

Boeing donated the cost of the mission transport, with Atlas Air operating the flights on behalf of Boeing, the officials said.

"Ten years ago, Boeing came to South Carolina – investing a significant amount of resources in our economy and creating jobs for our people," McMaster said. "Today, Boeing is making another significant investment in our state by partnering with other South Carolina businesses to help combat this deadly virus."

"It's a win-win for South Carolina healthcare providers and a perfect example of private companies working with elected officials to help healthcare workers and the people they serve," said Mark O'Halla, president and CEO, Prisma Health. 

He said Prisma Health is donating 100,000 of the masks to healthcare colleagues at the Medical University of South Carolina, which is located near Boeing's manufacturing plant in North Charleston.