The network helps some providers to connect with buyers and fight against the pandemic. This would streamline negotiations to help save more lives.
Northwell Health, New York’s largest hospital group, joined IBM’s new blockchain network to fight Covid-19. This group encompasses more than 800 hospitals that will use blockchain technology to deal with the pandemic.
IBM Network is a cloud-based application that uses Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). The primary objective of this development is to help companies that provide coronavirus relief supplies connect with buyers.
To meet this goal, IBM will provide a program called Rapid Supplier Connect to eligible suppliers. IBM will provide this program for free at least until next August 31st.
The help that the Rapid Supplier Connect program provides comes just when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared New York as the Covid-19 worst affected region in the United States of America. Last Sunday, April 26th, the city registered 367 deaths (70 less than the previous day), as well as a decrease in hospitalizations and the number of new positive cases.
How Does it Work?
Recently, Phyllis McCready, Northwell Vice President of Health and Chief Procurement Officer, told Forbes magazine how this tool works in supply chains.
In that sense, McCready highlighted the challenges that health organizations face when they need to examine new providers amidst the shortage of resources.
“It is through creating our own group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and supply chain, and joining forces with non-traditional suppliers that we have maintained an adequate stockpile of personal protection equipment (PPE), and other equipment and supplies, so we are pleased to join IBM Rapid Supplier Connect”, he said.
The shortage of medical products to deal with the Covid-19 has led buyers to include new companies in their supplier lists. In most cases, buyers are unaware of the origin or history of these new suppliers.
Due to the ignorance of the history of new suppliers, buyers are unsure of how good the products the suppliers sell could be. Now, with these new application buyers can have all the information in a short time. In this way, buyers of medical supplies can take a decision that is as appropriate as possible in the emergency.
The new network helps some sellers connect with buyers to streamline registered negotiations. This blockchain platform allows access to the complete information of the suppliers. The idea is for buyers to determine with whom they are negotiating, including also the list of products, quantities in stock, among other data.
This platform will include digital identity services. In this way, IBM seeks to help streamline providers’ background research to offer the addition of new emergency services.
“Identifying and researching these suppliers can be time-consuming and critical resource-consuming”, IBM said. But now, thanks to the new blockchain app, every hour and minute gained will help advance the fight against the pandemic that last Monday, April 27th generated 2,984,538 confirmed Covid-19 cases and almost 209,643 deaths worldwide for the disease.
By María Rodríguez
