KINGSTON, Jamaica – Aventa Jamaica Limited has wrapped up a major three-phase relief operation to help restore healthcare access in communities battered by Hurricane Melissa, delivering more than 328 care packages and emergency supplies to pharmacies across St Elizabeth, Westmoreland and St James.

The hurricane left widespread destruction in its wake, with businesses losing inventory and equipment and vast areas experiencing near-total power outages. Aventa’s relief mission, carried out throughout November, targeted some of the hardest-hit regions to help frontline healthcare partners resume services as quickly as possible.

During the first leg of the initiative, Aventa Jamaica partnered with the Health 2000 (H2K) division to  engage pharmacies across Santa Cruz and Black River in St Elizabeth, providing 100 Aventa care packages and medical supplies to six pharmacies.

The second phase focused on delivering relief to the communities of Savanna-la-Mar and White House in Westmoreland that required urgent support. A total of 119 care packages were delivered to 11 pharmacies, providing critical relief items such as personal care essentials, hydration products, and non-perishable supplies to customers recovering from the storm.

The third phase brought aid to Montego Bay, St James  and surrounding areas, where flooding reached dramatic levels with up to 11 feet of water reported at locations such as the now closed MegaMart in Catherine Hall. Aventa distributed 109 additional relief packages and emergency supplies to 19 pharmacies and staff members who faced flood damage, power outages and displacement.

Across all three parishes, pharmacy teams themselves were hit hard. Some suffered roof damage, destroyed belongings and temporary displacement, leading to staffing shortages that dropped workforce turnout to as low as 20 per cent in certain locations. Preliminary assessments indicate that up to 90 per cent of buildings in some affected communities were impacted, with entire towns described as “decimated.”

Aventa said the goal of the outreach was not only to stabilise pharmacy operations but also to ensure that essential health services remained available during a critical period for the region’s residents.

“When disaster strikes, the continuity of healthcare becomes even more vital,” said Karen Thomas, Pharmaceutical & Regulatory Manager at Aventa Jamaica. “Our mission is not only to supply high-quality products, but to stand with our partners and the communities they serve when they are at their most vulnerable. This relief outreach to St Elizabeth and Westmoreland is a demonstration of that commitment.”

With more than 328 care packages delivered across the western parishes, Aventa says it remains committed to strengthening resilience within Jamaica’s healthcare system especially during national emergencies and ensuring that pharmacies can continue to serve their communities when it matters most.