Trudy Simpson, Freelance Writer

HOSPITALS ARE still accepting urgent and emergency cases only, even as several of them grapple with the damage to their structures caused by Hurricane Ivan.

Dr. Barry Wint, chief medical officer in the Ministry of Health, said yesterday that hospitals would continue receiving only those cases for the time being.

In addition, a release from the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) said all clinics at the Cornwall Regional, Savanna-la-Mar, Noel Holmes and the Falmouth hospitals have been suspended until further notice but that the hospitals would continue to see urgent and emergency cases.

FLOODING IN THE KPH

Donald Farquaharson, CEO at the island's major referral hospital, Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), agreed but added that the hospital was sending some patients to the University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona, because of flooding in the KPH's main operating theatres.

He said the hospital had to deal with 10 gunshot wounds on Saturday when Jamaica was still in the throes of the hurricane because of sporadic gun fire in communities near to the hospital. Of the 10, one person died.

KPH was not the only hospital which felt Ivan's effects. Dr. Wint indicated that the physical structure at some hospitals was damaged while others had "temporary problems" with water leaking in through window joints. In those cases, they moved patients to safer wards and are now sending them back to their proper wards.

In Clarendon, the Chapelton and Lionel Town hospitals have had to begin referring people to the May Pen Hospital. In addition, the Health department's roof is gone, Dr. Wint said.

PROBLEMS WITH THE ROOFS

The Lionel Town hospital and the Annotto Bay hospital (St. Mary) also experienced problems with the roofs of their wards and staff quarters.

The ministry was also unable to get reports from the south west section of the island and with the Morant Bay hospital, St. Thomas.

"By tomorrow, we will have contact with all hospitals," Dr. Wint said. He added that the ministry will be stepping up vector control and monitoring to prevent any disease that may occur. He urged the public to purify water, whether by boiling or adding a few drops of bleach.

"We will also monitor shelters closely, especially the food and water. We also warn - particularly young people - not to play in pools of water as we are sure it's not clean."

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