.png)
Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton
The Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth, which is located on Jamaica's southern coastline, has initiated its evacuation plan as Hurricane Melissa is still projected to continue on a path to make landfall on the St. Elizabeth/Westmoreland border.
Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says operations on the lower floors of the hospital have been relocated.
He said a 12-foot seawall was recently constructed, but the relocations are a contingency ahead of the powerful Category 5 hurricane.
"We're moving everyone from the lower floors to higher floors, as part of the protection should the surge go over the wall and come up into the yard," he explained.
Weather forecasts say life-threatening storm surge, accompanied by large and destructive waves, is likely along the south coast of Jamaica on Monday night and on Tuesday, peaking at 9 to 13 feet above sea level, near and to the east of where the centre of Melissa makes landfall.
Dr. Tufton said other vulnerable hospitals along Jamaica's coastline, including Annotto Bay, Noel Holmes, Port Maria, Princess Margaret and Falmouth also have arrangements for evacuation.
He acknowledged that some level of damage is anticipated at health facilities in the worst affected areas.
"They're built with some level of resilience to protect against these natural disasters. So we do have some buffer there hopefully to reinforce against the wind and the flood damage. But should we need it, we will relocate," he noted.
The Health and Wellness Minister said adequate equipment as well as medical and other supplies are in place, for the most part, to respond to emergencies that may arise during and after the hurricane. Where there are issues, he said the ministry is coordinating to fill the gaps.
He added that there is also coordination with the National Water Commission for onsite trucks at hospitals such as Linstead, where supplies and storage will only last a day.
comments powered by Disqus
_OPM_retreat.jpg)
All feeds
