Hurricane Health Response Programme enters second phase

FREEPORT, St James — The Ministry of Health and Wellness is now in the second phase of its Hurricane Health Response Programme, with the tendering process for infrastructural repairs slated to begin between late September and October. The announcement was made on Tuesday by minister of state in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Krystal Lee during the handing over of medical supplies from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) at the authority’s technical office at Freeport in St James. The three-phased Hurricane Health Response Programme — encompassing relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction — was established to restore and modernise health services and facilities affected by last October’s Hurricane Melissa.

Phase two is focused on restoring the infrastructure, strengthening resilience, and advancing the health system reform. I am pleased to announce that all design briefs for the 101 health centres to be repaired under this phase are now in-house,” stated Lee. “Our next steps include moving to the BQs [bills of quantities].

The tendering process for the works is expected to begin in late September to October on a phased basis,” she added. According to Lee, this segment of the work follows the successful completion of phase one of the programme, which focused on restoring essential services at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, protecting the population from disease outbreaks, and providing psychosocial support to affected communities and healthcare workers. “As we rebuild and recover, we must recognise that recovery is not a one-time event, neither is it simply about restoring what existed before; it is about building stronger, more resilient health-care systems capable of withstanding future shocks.

Our vision remains for a health-care system that is accessible, responsive, resilient, and capable of meeting the evolving needs of every sector and our citizens at home and abroad,” stated Lee. During Tuesday’s ceremony, the WRHA was supplied with a significant donation of reproductive health contraceptive kits and specialised midwifery kits aimed at reinforcing maternal care in areas heavily impacted by the Category 5 storm. UNFPA Sexual and Reproductive Health in Emergencies Officer Dr Deandra Romain (right) giving a briefing on some of the items her organisation p…