Hospitals offering emergency care only post-Melissa

All but three hospitals across Jamaica remain open and are operating in emergency mode, while all health centres remain closed, the Ministry of Health and Wellness said Wednesday.

The three hospitals—Black River Hospital in St Elizabeth, Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover, and Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny—were severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa and are currently closed.

"While hospitals remain open, they continue to operate in emergency mode to provide critical and life-saving care only. Non-emergency services are temporarily suspended, as staff work to manage emergency cases and stabilise operations amid ongoing challenges related to power supply and infrastructure damage,” the ministry said in a statement.

Members of the public with clinic appointments scheduled for this week are advised not to visit health centres. New appointment dates will be issued once facilities are cleared, reopened, and deemed safe for service delivery, it added.

Persons with chronic illnesses who are in urgent need of medication are encouraged to check local radio and official Ministry channels for updates on mobile pharmacy or outreach services once conditions allow. They are also encouraged to feep using the medication they do have as prescribed; store medicines in a cool, dry place and in an emergency, visit their nearest hospital where possible or contact the local health authorities for advice.

The ministry said it continues to conduct damage assessments across the health network and is coordinating with regional health authorities and the National Emergency Operations Centre to restore full services as quickly and as safely as possible.

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