The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) will this weekend deploy its field medical hospital to Jamaica for the first time in its history as part of relief efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Speaking during a press conference at BDF headquarters, St Ann’s Fort, Garrison, St Michael, yesterday, Chief of Staff Brigadier Carlos Lovell described the mission, dubbed Operation Helping Hands, as historic and a deeply symbolic act of Caribbean unity that will see dozens of Barbadian and regional medical volunteers provide essential health care services to communities in western Jamaica, hardest hit by the hurricane.
Historic operation
“This is the first time that the Barbados Defence Force’s field medical hospital is being deployed overseas to assist in the aftermath of a disaster. It is an historic moment, not only for the BDF but for Barbados as a country that continues to demonstrate leadership and compassion in the region,” Lovell said.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Westmoreland, on October 28 as a Category 5 hurricane, unleashing winds of 185 miles per hour. It left at least 45 people dead, with 15 still unaccounted for, and caused widespread destruction across western and southern Jamaica. More than 120 000 structures, including homes, schools and hospitals, suffered severe damage, leaving local health care systems in crisis.
Lovell explained that the BDF’s deployment came at the official request of the government of Jamaica, after key hospitals such as Cornwall Regional and Savannah-La-Mar Public General were overwhelmed and operating under compromised conditions.
“The mission’s purpose
is to provide emergency medical support to the people of Savannah-La-Mar, where public health care services have been severely disrupted,” he noted.
Classified as a Type 2 facility, the field hospital will offer surgical and primary care services, water purification and pharmaceutical distribution – mirroring the capabilities of a fully functioning hospital.
The initial deployment will run from November 18 to December 18, with two rotations of about 70 personnel each, including members of the BDF, civilian medical professionals and volunteers from across the Eastern Caribbean.
Lovell revealed that while the BDF has mobilised 48 members locally, additional personnel will be drawn from the Caribbean Public Health Agency and the Jamaica Defence Force.
The operation will be conducted in collaboration with regional and international partners, including the Pan American Health Organisation, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, and the Ministries of Health in both Barbados and Jamaica.
“This effort represents the best of who we are as Caribbean people. Our members, many of whom are volunteers from the public and private health care sectors, are leaving their families and workplaces to serve in the spirit of compassion and regional solidarity,” the BDF chief said.
He expressed gratitude to the Government of Barbados for its trust and to sponsors such as CIBC for supporting the mission.
Major David Clarke, the BDF’s field medical officer, underscored the significance of Barbados’ role in global disaster response.
“We are actually the 28th emergency medical team accredited by the World Health Organisation, and one of only three military field hospitals in the world to hold such recognition,” he said.
Clarke added that Barbados’ inclusion among 40 accredited field hospitals globally is “an achievement that speaks volumes for a small island state”.
He credited the CIBC
ComTrust Foundation for its crucial support, which enabled the hospital’s deployment.
“When I reached out to them for assistance, I received a positive response within half an hour. That kind of corporate responsiveness is rare and commendable.”
He said an advanced team of six will leave today to assess conditions at Savannah-La-Mar and ensure the area is suitable for the field hospital.
Lovell called on Barbadians to support the mission in spirit.
“This is going to be a very difficult mission. We ask the people of Barbados to continue to keep our medical volunteers in your prayers as they go forward to provide help and hope under the banner of Operation Helping Hands.” (CLM)
