At the beginning of the 2021, the epidemic of COVID-19 in Hebei Province resumed. The trumpet for battle sounded again. The Chinacoal Lingbei Hospital (including the Chinacoal Hospital) under General Universal Medical Group Co., Ltd. ("Universal Medical", HK2666) was re-appointed by the local government on January 11 due to its outstanding performance during the fight against COVID-19 during 2020, to undertake the testing of one million nucleic acid samples.

With the epidemic came the order and the responsibility of prevention and control. Yet lying ahead were numerous difficulties, including limited testing venue, personnel, transfer capabilities, etc. To tackle all these within 7 days seemed almost impossible.

The Venue Problem Solved in One Week: a Test Vehicle Arrived

On January 11, after learning about the situation in the hospital, Universal Medical urgently held a meeting to formulate options and alternatives. From the 13th to the 15th, the optional plan was stranded, and the company immediately launched the lab vehicle purchase plan. Several departments worked overtime, screening vehicle dealers and equipment manufacturers, combining optimal solutions, and finally completing contract negotiations. On the 18th, the vehicle arrived at Lingbei Hospital.

Staff Inadequacy Solved in Three Days: Brother Hospitals Reached Out

For nucleic acid testing, PCR-licensed personnel are required, where Chinacoal Lingbei Hospital has been short-staffed. On the 14th, Universal Medical contacted its subsidiary Xi’an XD Group Hospital and Pangang Chengdu Hospital and received strong support from them. On the 17th, three PCR-licensed staff from the two hospitals set off and reached Lingbei Hospital on the same day.

The Transfer Problem Solved in Four Days: a Negative Pressure Ambulance Arrived

The hospital is located in the two central urban areas of Fuxing District and Congtai District of Handan City, and undertakes the transfer of personnel returning to Handan, close contacts, and isolated personnel. However, it has insufficient transfer ambulances and poor turnover. On the 11th, Universal Medical launched a transfer ambulance purchase program. It was difficult but the mind was set. With the cooperation of multiple departments, the purchase-production-transfer cycle was shortened from 50 days to three. On the 15th, the delivery process experienced several twists and turns due to the high-speed road closure out of the epidemic control. After changing the locations many times, the ambulance was finally delivered.

In order to start the task of testing one million nucleic acid samples, Universal Medical took full advantage of its resources as a medical and health group, making coordinated and rapid response. It took only 7 days to bring in the lab vehicle. The  purchase-production-transport cycle of the negative pressure ambulance  was shortened from 50 days to three days. Three PCR-licensed staff from Xi'an and Chengdu were quickly in place. The company took "Lightning Actions" to help Hebei fight the epidemic and demonstrated the responsibility as a central enterprise.