KINGSTON, Jamaica — Ninety-eight per cent of the islands health facilities are now fully operational following disruption in some services post-Hurricane Sandy.

Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse, Director of Emergency Management, Disaster Preparedness and Special Services in the Ministry of Health, reported that 24 of the 25 hospitals and 304 of the 307 health centres have resumed full service delivery. She was speaking today at the Ministry’s National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC).

“The Annotto Bay Hospital is the only hospital that is currently offering emergency services only due to severe roof damages sustained during the passage of Huricanne Sandy. Outpatient services and elective surgeries are therefore not being offered at this time.” she said.

She also reported that three health centres will remain closed until further notice due to roof damages and, or loss of power. These health centres are Chepstowe and St Margaret’s Bay in Portland and Lawrence Tavern in Kingston and St Andrew. 

The Duhaney Park Health in Kingston, while open is currently dealing with selective appointments and emergencies only due to limited power supply.

DuCasse noted that patients inconvenienced by these closures are being advised to use another health centre in their areas. In Portland, patients of the Chepstowe Health Centre are being asked to use the Buff Bay facility, while patients of the St Margaret’s Bay Health Centre are encouraged to visit the Mount Pleasant or Port Antonio health centres. Asthma patients of the Duhaney Park Health Centre in Kingston should visit the Sunrise Health Centre for care.

She also said that the Ministry of Health would continue to work assiduously from its NEOC to have all its facilities fully operational in the shortest possible time.