At least four hospitals ‘significantly damaged’ by Hurricane Melissa - Tufton

Hurricane Melissa has caused “significant damage” to at least four major hospitals, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, has confirmed.

The hospitals are Noel Holmes in Hanover, Black River in St Elizabeth, Cornwall Regional in St James, and Falmouth in Trelawny, Tufton disclosed.

The damage at the Cornwall Regional Hospital is confined to the nurses’ quarters, which was converted for other use.

“So they are doing some relocation and in some instances waiting on the rain to relocate others,” he told The Gleaner.

“A lot is happening and it’s unfolding as we speak, so it’s hard to give specifics,” the health minister said.

Meanwhile, a press release from the health ministry said that health service delivery at the Black River Hospital has been disrupted due to the ongoing effects of Hurricane Melissa.

It said the facility’s administrative block has sustained significant damage, and power supply to some areas has been affected.

In response, emergency protocols have been activated, with some patients relocated earlier as a precautionary measure.

The Ministry says it is actively coordinating with the Southern Regional Health Authority and parish emergency services to stabilise operations.

Despite the disruption, members of the health team are working tirelessly to ensure the continued care and safety of all patients, with efforts underway to restore full functionality.

The centre of Hurricane Melissa, a category five system, made landfall in the community of New Hope, Westmoreland, about midday on Tuesday, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica has confirmed.

There are several pictures circulating on social media of damage to the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital.

- Livern Barrett

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