Hurricane-Affected Health Centres to Be Restored to Withstand Future Storms

The Government is moving beyond make-do repairs at hurricane-affected health centres towards a resilient, long-term network that can withstand future storms.

This, according to health officials, is part of a broader assessment of the island’s health networks and signals a transition from emergency repairs to a durable, disaster-ready plan.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, underscored this very point in a recent visit to Wakefield and Bounty Hall in Trelawny.

“Quality healthcare is of paramount importance, and the quicker these health centres are back up and running, the easier it will be for patients to access critical care in a seamless manner, without burdening the main hospitals,” he said.

The Wakefield Health Centre has emerged as a focal point of the revival effort. The Minister noted that Wakefield now records several hundred patient visits each month, a clear rebound from the disruption caused when Hurricane Melissa – a Category Five storm that struck last October – knocked offline 19 health facilities in the parish.

“Wakefield is emblematic of a broader strategy: reopen facilities quickly, restore stability among staff, and persuade residents to resume preventive and chronic-care appointments that determine health outcomes over time,” Dr. Tufton explained.

In nearby Bounty Hall, the Minister described a two-wing restoration plan that mirrors Wakefield’s trajectory. One wing is fully restored, furnished and in use, while the second wing is undergoing stabilisation and temporary roofing repairs.

The objective, he said, is to consolidate services in the restored space and bring the second wing up to full standard. Monthly patient traffic at Bounty Hall ranges from 120 to 250 visits.

“The Government has moved beyond quick fixes to a parish-wide assessment that will determine how to rebuild or expand health centres under a disaster-ready standard,” Dr. Tufton noted.

Three Kingston-based engineering firms have surveyed all 19 health centres in Trelawny and will deliver a report detailing whether new facilities, major renovations, or strategic expansions are warranted.

The emphasis, the Minister said, is resilience, “smart health facility standards designed to withstand hurricane winds, incorporate water catchment, and ensure reliable power through backup generators”.

The aim is to turn today’s repairs into a durable system capable of absorbing future shocks.

While praising the front-line staff, Dr. Tufton stressed that their effort is integral to the Ministry’s mission. He commended workers for staying the course “in the face of immense challenges”, noting that their perseverance embodies the Government’s commitment to accessible, quality care.
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“The faster we get these centres operating, the sooner patients can receive timely care and the less pressure there is on the main hospitals,” he said.

He also reminded Jamaicans that the primary hospital network remains essential and is supported by these revitalised periphery facilities.

In Falmouth, the focal point remains the hospital, which sustained damage during the hurricane.

Dr. Tufton indicated that the A&E Department is targeted for completion by the end of May, with ongoing work continuing on the dietary and children’s wards. The COVID-19 ward is still available to support essential services, as the hospital redefines its capacity and workflow to meet current demands.

The Minister emphasised the need to strengthen staffing, supply chains, and service delivery to ensure that patients can access care without unnecessary travel or delays. The aim is a patient-centred, locally sustainable health network where prevention and early intervention reduce the need for urgent hospital-based care.

By upgrading primary care hubs across parishes, the Government intends to relieve strain on tertiary facilities during crises and provide more predictable, continuous care for chronic conditions, vaccination programmes, maternal and child health services, and routine screenings.

In conversations with health workers and local officials, Dr. Tufton underscored the importance of clear communication and community engagement. He urged residents to resume routine visits for primary care, noting that keeping medical records up to date and maintaining regular checkups are essential to managing diabetes, hypertension, paediatric growth, and maternal health outcomes over time.

Dr. Tufton said that reliable restoration of health centres is not merely an immediate relief effort, but a strategic investment in Jamaica’s health security, adding that by coupling quick repairs with long-term, disaster-ready design, the Government seeks to ensure that communities have ready access to high-quality care, even in the wake of future storms.