BDF EMT providing healthcare in Jamaica

The Barbados Defence Force Emergency Medical Team (BDF EMT) treated and cared for 495 patients between December 1 and 10, under Operation Helping Hands 2025, currently underway in Westmoreland, Jamaica.

Officer-in-Charge of Medical Services, with the BDF EMT Commander, Lieutenant Commander Anderson Goodridge, said the Barbados-based hospital opened its doors officially to the Savannah La-Mar Hospital on December 1, when it started receiving patients.

From December 1 to 7 270 patients were seen at the facility, and 225 between December 8 and 10.

“During the first week of opening, we also undertook three surgeries, and subsequently two elective surgeries were also done,” he shared.

Commander Goodridge explained that patients treated were in all categories – male, female, paediatrics and from the different clinics being held such as orthopaedics, gynaecological, paediatric, surgical and medical.

“The government and people of Jamaica have received the BDF EMT with gratitude, warmth and hospitality, and they have shown a deep appreciation for our attendance here in Jamaica,” he said.

Director of Medical Services with the second rotation of the BDF EMT, Dr Walter Alleyne, further pointed out that there were six major services provided by the field hospital. Those, he said, were outpatient and inpatient clinics, the pharmacy, laboratory services, psychosocial support services for staff and the Central Sterilising Supply Department.

Dr Alleyne, who is responsible for coordinating medical services between the Savannah La-Mar Hospital and the BDF EMT, said he was impressed with the team that came from Barbados, as they gave of their all, often performing roles outside of the areas to which they were assigned The BDF EMT is the only registered field hospital in the region within this hemisphere. It is accredited as a field hospital by the World Health Organisation to provide emergency response and emergency care in the aftermath of any disaster.

Operation Helping Hands 2025 is a historic and symbolic act of Caribbean Unity, which was needed in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The deployment has seen the integration of medical practitioners from the Cayman Islands, Grenada, Trinidad, Guyana, St Maarten, Suriname, the British Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia, St Kitts, Belize, Miami, Jamaica and Barbados.

(BDF EMT)