Field hospital to deploy to Jamaica for humanitarian mission

Barbados is dispatching a field medical hospital to Jamaica for humanitarian aid, marking a landmark Caribbean response to Hurricane Melissa and illustrating regional solidarity, the head of the Barbados Defence Force said Wednesday.

Chief of Staff Brigadier Carlos Lovell said the mission – Operation Helping Hands – approved by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, would see military personnel and medical volunteers providing emergency healthcare in Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last month.

He said the deployment would “temporarily replace the public healthcare systems normally provided by the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital” in the hardest-hit western section of the island.

Brigadier Lovell emphasised that this marked the first time the accredited World Health Organisation Emergency Medical Team was being deployed abroad after a severe weather event.

“It is posited in these forms that Caribbean unity is most important at times like this when all seems lost and the situation is dire,” he said. “Alliances mean nothing if you are on board only when the situation is favourable. I wish to assure the impacted communities and people in Jamaica that Barbados stands with you in your time of need as one Caribbean family and help is on the way.”

He outlined that the BDF’s field hospital, classified as a Type 2 facility, required about 70 medical and logistical personnel to operate for two weeks. So far, 48 members of the military and medical professionals from the public and private healthcare sectors had been mobilised, while the remaining 22 positions were expected to be filled through regional assistance from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the Jamaica Defence Force.

The deployment will run from next Tuesday for one month, with two rotations of approximately 70 personnel each, bringing the total number of participants to between 140 and 150.

Medical Liaison Officer Major David Clarke said the mission is being coordinated with the Ministries of Health in both Barbados and Jamaica, CDEMA, the Pan American Health Organisation, and other regional bodies.
The BDF was “in the process of loading 12 containers of equipment and supplies bound for Jamaica”, though 100 containers were still being loaded, causing a slight delay, he said.

An advance team of six members will depart first to assess the site in Savanna-la-Mar and prepare for the main operation. Clarke said all pharmaceuticals were being carefully packed as part of a “full-service field pharmacy” to support the mission. He acknowledged lessons learned in logistics and licensing requirements for medical supplies.

He added: “All of the oxygen tanks and consumables need special licences, and we had to make sure we got all of these in place.”

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Arthur Phillips assured that essential health services in Barbados would remain uninterrupted.

“The Ministry of Health has carefully reviewed the names, the categories of staff, and the duration of the rotations in order to ensure that essential services within our health system will continue uninterrupted,” he said. “We wish to assure the public of Barbados that medical capacity at home will not be compromised by this deployment.”

While post-hurricane conditions in Jamaica carried risks of vector- and water-borne illnesses, there was no immediate threat of regional disease spread, he explained.

Brig. Lovell said the mission had underscored the need for stronger regional logistics and greater volunteerism within Barbados’ medical community.

“This deployment has reinforced three lessons,” he said. “First, there is a requirement for a dedicated strategic sea lift to mobilise the FMH, which comprises approximately 90 tonnes of equipment.
“Secondly, volunteerism in Barbados seems to be on the decline, and we need more medical professionals to come forward.”

The armed forces chief expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and regional purpose.

“This is going to be a very difficult undertaking but it reflects the true spirit of Caribbean solidarity and the commitment of Barbadians to serve beyond their shores.”

CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank is also assisting in the relief effort by donating $1 million to help those in need, but half of that money will go towards supporting the field hospital initiative.

(SZB)