Several Westmoreland Health Centres Reopen After Hurricane Repairs

Several health centres in Westmoreland that sustained damage during Hurricane Melissa have reopened following repairs, enhancing access to primary healthcare services across the parish.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Marcia Graham, who made the announcement during the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation’s monthly meeting in Savanna-la-Mar on February 12, noted that significant progress has been made in restoring facilities affected by the hurricane.

“We are happy to say that most of our health centres have now been re-roofed… and so we are back in the building at areas that were really ravaged,” she said.

Dr. Graham noted, however, that some facilities remain under repair, including the Williamsfield Health Centre, where sections of the building sustained severe damage.

“We are now exploring the possibility of two locations… to offer the care until we have renovated the health centre,” the Medical Officer informed.

Dr. Graham is encouraging residents to utilise primary-care facilities for non-emergency medical issues, rather than going directly to hospitals.

“Please do not overcrowd the hospital with issues that can be dealt with in the health centre,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Graham cautioned that respiratory illnesses continue to affect residents, with surveillance data indicating a high number of persons presenting with flu-like symptoms

“In the last Sentinel surveillance report for the past week, we recorded over 130 persons presenting with influenza-like illness,” she reported.

A Sentinel surveillance report is a public health monitoring tool prepared by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in collaboration with the regional health authorities, to track the occurrence and trends of specific diseases through selected reporting sites known as sentinel sites.

Dr. Graham advised that testing has confirmed the circulation of multiple respiratory viruses within the parish.

“We do have confirmed cases of a respiratory virus called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)… and we have also had confirmed cases of influenza A… H3N2,” the Medical Officer informed.

Dr. Graham is urging residents, particularly those living with chronic illnesses, to adopt preventive measures, including vaccination and seeking early medical care.

“If you haven’t gotten the flu, get the vaccine so you don’t get the bad flu… or if you [get vaccinated and] get the flu, it [won’t be] as bad because you would have maximised your protection,” she said.