Tufton: Medical facilities islandwide remain operational despite hurricane damage

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Health and Human Services reports that all 24 hospitals on the island are operational, although some of the island’s health facilities were heavily damaged during the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

Minister Tufton, in a post-hurricane assessment, revealed that the current estimated cost of repairing health facilities damaged by Hurricane Beryl is $1.098 billion.

According to reports, roofs, doors, ceilings, fences and electrical systems at several hospitals were damaged during the storm, with the most severe damage occurring in St. Elizabeth. The Minister said all health facilities in St. Elizabeth are currently on emergency response only and are relying on water tanks and generators for power supply as of midnight, Saturday, July 6.

Significant damage to infrastructure was also reported at facilities in Trelawny and St. Thomas.

Tufton further said that services that were suspended before the hurricane, such as elective surgeries and certain medical clinics, have only resumed at 50% capacity. He said 14 of the island’s hospitals are now fully operational, with the remaining 10 on track to resume full service by Monday, July 8.

“Overall, the medical team responded and did a good job and I want to commend them. Jamaicans can rest assured that if there is a problem they can get emergency services at the emergency department at the parish hospital,” he said.