Medical Professionals From Spain at Emergency Field Hospital in Falmouth, Trelawny

More than 70 Medical professionals from Spain are now in Jamaica to be stationed at the emergency field hospital established at the Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny.

The field hospital, which will start operation today (November 6), has the capacity to treat an average of 200 persons per day, and to perform up to seven major and 15 minor surgeries daily.

“This is an important moment for the people of Jamaica, and in particular, those who have suffered significant damage during the passage of a category-five hurricane, Hurricane Melissa,” said Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, at a welcoming ceremony, held at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston, on November 5.

Deployment of the medical team and the hospital forms part of the European Union’s (EU’s)ongoing support to Jamaica’s post-hurricane recovery effort.

Minister Tufton said the impact of the hurricane has been devastating, particularly in five parishes of the island (St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James and Trelawny)  and the country’s response requires and depends on the friendship and the relationship with others to “quickly do our rescue and to provide support as we build back and get back to normality”.

“In this regard, our strong friendship and bond with the people and the Government of Spain have resulted in this significant delegation coming here, and we want to say thank you. It is reflective of the friendship that we share, it is reflective of the humanity that is in all of us, and certainly reflected by this delegation, because it really is about saving lives,” the Minister said.

The hospital will be offering type-two services and is also capable of operating 24 hours a day, with surgical capacity and inpatient care for up to 24 people. It has a surgical theatre, and services offered will be free of cost.

For his part, Ambassador of Spain to Jamica, His Excellency José María Fernández López de Turiso, said the medical team from his country has come to offer the “best of their abilities to help”.

“Given our excellent bonds of friendship, the Government of Spain and the people of Spain were particularly moved by the images of the devastating tragedy that happened in Jamaica,” he said.

Meanwhile, EU Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Dr. Erja Askola, said the Union combines EU funding, its humanitarian assistance and emergency response mechanisms and civil protection with member States’ assets and resources, and “what could be a more valuable resource and asset at this time in Jamaica than medical professionals and a field hospital?”.

“This is really fantastic, and I am proud to be standing here with you, Ambassador, and to receive this brilliant group of people, professionals from Spain,” she said.