BDF ready to show off WHO accredited field hospital

This week, Barbadians will get to see a fully-established army field hospital here for the first time. Once it is set up, it will also be the second of only two such facilities in the world.

Setting up of the hospital at the historic Garrison Savannah by the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) was nearing completion on Tuesday and a public demonstration of its operations is scheduled to take place on Wednesday afternoon from 2 o’clock.

“There are only two armies in the world that have World Health Organisation (WHO) accredited field hospitals – Israel and Barbados. We are actually well ahead of the game. We will have a Type 1 hospital set up on the Garrison,” a senior army official told Barbados TODAY on Monday.

The official explained that the local military field hospital was set up many times before, but this is the first time Barbadians would be able to see it in its entirety.

“We are setting it up for a particular purpose so that civilians could have a look at it,” he added.

The medical facility which is located on the inner field of the race track near the clock tower comprises more than a dozen tents equipped with beds and other medical supplies.

On Tuesday, soldiers were getting the facility ready for opening. (EJ)