St. Catherine health facilities prepared for storm effects, says ministry

 

The Ministry of Health says health facilities in St. Catherine are prepared to deal with the effects of storms. 

 

Medical Officer of Health for St. Catherine, Dr. Francia Prosper Chen, says lessons learned from previous storms have guided the preparation of activities this hurricane season.

 

Dr. Prosper Chen says health centres are equipped to deal with flooding.

 

"We do have plans in place for the redeployment of staff if our health centres become inaccessible for whatever reason, whether from flooding or from downed power lines and so on, so that is all in place. Health centres are also encouraged to have their own plans. What is to happen if your health centre is not available? And so we are reviewing those plans, updating those plans to ensure that the call out, cascade and other things are in the plan."

 

She said flooding is expected at at least three facilities - Sydenham Health Centre, Greater Portmore Health Centre and Cumberland Road Health Centre. "And these we can't really do much about, unfortunately, but we are nonetheless trying," she admitted.