The leadership of the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland has expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support received from volunteers, partners, and community members, even as the institution continues to grapple with extensive damage to its facilities in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Senior Medical Officer (SMO), Dr. Suman Vemu, described the impact as “devastating”, noting that both the...

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Representative to Jamaica, Ian Stein, visited the Cornwall Regional Hospital on Sunday, November 2, signalling support for the quick recovery of the healthcare sector after Hurricane Melissa. Mr. Stein’s visit was part of a coordinated mission with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to support several western Jamaica health facilities in the...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, has announced that several primary care facilities will play a critical supporting role in the ongoing post-hurricane recovery efforts across the public health system. These facilities will focus on providing triage and outpatient services to help ease the burden on hospitals in the five most severely affected parishes. Speaking during...

The public is being advised to observe safe water consumption practices, as Hurricane Melissa significantly impacted potable water systems—particularly across the western and southern regions of Jamaica. The Ministry of Health and Wellness reports that high turbidity, infrastructure damage, and prolonged power outages have disrupted the ability of the National Water Commission (NWC) and Municipal Corporations to maintain consistent water...

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the Government is deploying Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) islandwide to assess food safety conditions in hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, food storage facilities, and processing plants. According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, several food establishments across the most severely affected parishes have sustained extensive damage due to flooding. This has led to widespread and...

Health workers will head to the west on Sunday (Nov. 2) to participate in the cleanup of hospitals that have been severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Approximately 200 volunteers are expected to take part in the cleanup exercise at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital in Westmoreland; Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny; Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover; and Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James....

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is appealing to members of the public to donate blood in support of trauma care needs arising in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Persons wishing to donate blood may do so at the National Chest Hospital in Kingston and the Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and at...