Falmouth Field Hospital Providing Urgent Care for Victims of Hurricane Melissa and Jamaicans in the West – Terrelonge

As the country continues its recovery, a Spanish-supported field hospital in Falmouth, Trelawny, is now delivering urgent medical services to victims of Hurricane Melissa and Jamaicans affected by Hurricane Melissa in the West.

Earlier this month, the Government of Jamaica welcomed the deployment of the Type 2 facility, spearheaded by the Kingdom of Spain. With the hospital now operational, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Honourable Alando Terrelonge, visited the site to see how care is being sustained during the recovery period. He noted that the field hospital is maintaining key services that would otherwise be disrupted due to damage caused by the hurricane. These include emergency and surgical services, maternity care and paediatric support, which are all being provided on site as repairs continue.

During an exchange with Ambassador of Spain to Jamaica, His Excellency Jose Maria Fernandez Lopez de Turiso, the Minister was advised of the specialists deployed to include surgeons, obstetricians, paediatric specialists and mental-health professionals, working in fully equipped theatres and wards with capacity for up to 200 patients per day.

“Families in the west still need care, even while hospitals are undergoing major repairs. Here, they can get treatment quickly and close to home. Babies are being delivered, emergency surgeries are being done and that makes a real difference for people who cannot afford delays right now.

This field hospital gives the Government the time and capacity needed to rebuild properly. Recovery is not overnight, but this ensures no one is left without care while it happens”, Minister Terrelonge said.

Terrelonge further reiterated appreciation on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica for the ongoing support of international partners who continue to contribute to Jamaica’s recovery, particularly through diplomatic cooperation. He added that “extensive damage at health facilities including Falmouth Hospital and Cornwall Regional Hospital has disrupted access to services across the western parishes and the field hospital is helping prevent long travel, delays in treatment and gaps in care as long-term repairs progress”.

“Approximately 80 healthcare workers are stationed at the site, supporting surgery, trauma care, physiotherapy, paediatrics, obstetrics and maternity services among others. The Falmouth Field Hospital is the second field hospital deployed in Jamaica to reinforce health services during recovery”, Terrelonge concluded.