The Ministry of Health and Wellness on Sunday conducted a volunteer outreach to health facilities in Western Jamaica that were badly impacted by Hurricane Melissa, delivering care packages and providing clean-up assistance as part of the recovery effort.

The exercise — which took place at Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny, Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James, Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover, and Savanna-la-Mar Hospital in Westmoreland — saw staff from the ministry’s head office, the South East Regional Health Authority, and University Hospital of the West Indies, together with some partners and family members collaborating to support colleagues on the front lines.

The more than 200 volunteers assisted with clearing debris, cleaning wards, and distributing food packages to health teams who have continued to serve throughout and after the hurricane.

The initiative formed part of efforts to help to restore operations at health facilities and lift the morale of health-care workers affected by the Category 5 hurricane that came barrelling into the south-western section of Jamaica, leaving devastation in its wake.

“This effort was about solidarity — showing our health teams that they are not alone. Many of them worked through the storm and are still ensuring care for patients despite personal losses. We wanted to stand with them and will continue to do so.” Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said while at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital on Sunday.