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JDF stands ready to offer maternity help

Published:Sunday | October 3, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Ministry of Health is advising women within two weeks of their delivery date to get accommodation with relatives or a friend near a health facility. - File

Laura Redpath, Senior Gleaner Writer

CLOUDS PREGNANT with rain were not the only concern of government agencies prepared for disaster this past week.

Women who were within two weeks of giving birth were being advised by the Ministry of Health (MOH), in coordination with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), to call the ministry and keep officials posted on their progress.

According to Dr Marion Bullock-Ducasse, director of Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services at the MOH, as of Friday, six women had called in, and three women from rural St Andrew had been assisted with relocating to health-care facilities.

ongoing relationship

Of the three women, two were given directions by road, and one had to be airlifted by Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) personnel and taken to the Victorian Jubilee Hospital, the maternity arm of the Kingston Public Hospital, with her newborn.

"We have an ongoing relationship with the ODPEM," said Brigadier Antony Anderson of the JDF's response to the aftermath of Tropical Depression 16. "We collaborate in a number of ways and we've done a number of rescues."

Another woman, whose identity is unknown, called in from Halls Delight in St Andrew and since Thursday, MOH officials have been pleading for her to call back because they need to pin down her location and in order to provide assistance.

Tropical Depression 16, which was upgraded to Tropical Storm Nicole by Wednesday, lashed the island from Tuesday onwards, leaving a wave of infrastructure damage and at least eight deaths in its wake, including two children.

As Jamaicans recover, the MOH continues to advise women who are within two weeks of their due date and unable to reach a health-care facility to contact the ministry.

"Try to get accommodation with relatives or a friend near a health facility. If not, find a shelter close to a health facility and get in touch with the parish disaster coordinators who can provide information," said Stephanie Shaw-Smith, public relations and communications manager at the MOH.

She pointed out that this was standard for all emergencies or disaster situations.

Shaw-Smith also outlined other precautions, including having a packed bag with necessary items - including medication, clothes, and what is needed for newborns - ready to be grabbed at a moment's notice.

laura.redpath@gleanerjm.com