KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) and the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ), in collaboration with the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), are urgently appealing for volunteer medical personnel to assist at the Black River Hospital in St Elizabeth, which was severely affected by Hurricane Melissa.

The organisations are seeking volunteer doctors willing to undertake 28 to 48-hour shifts at the facility, beginning as early as Thursday, October 30.

In an interview with JIS News, Immediate Past President of the JMDA, Dr Mindi Fitz-Henley, made an urgent call for doctors across the island to provide relief for colleagues who have been working continuously since Sunday, October 26, under extremely difficult circumstances.

Dr Fitz-Henley, who also serves as president-elect of the MAJ, explained that the appeal forms part of a coordinated national response between both medical associations. She noted that the MAJ represents doctors from both public and private health sectors.

“The National Emergency Operations Centre had reached out for us to help coordinate to get volunteer doctors to assist urgently in Black River Hospital. We know that the doctors there have been working under strenuous situations and have not been able to leave. As we know, the roads are impassable at this point in time,” Dr Fitz-Henley said.