The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) says foreign relief workers providing aid to affected sections of Jamaica following the passage of Hurricane Melissa are subject to established health screening protocol.

The ministry’s statement follows concerns raised by Opposition Spokesperson on Health, Dr Alfred Dawes, who had warned of the potential for imported illnesses if proper screening of healthcare workers is not enforced.

“We saw after the Haitian earthquake, there was a rise in cholera that was brought in by relief workers. We don’t know if relief workers are coming in with other diseases as well,” Dawes said.

However, in an emailed response to Observer Online, the Ministry of Health moved to assure the public that there have been no reports of communicable diseases among relief workers and healthcare personnel. It said strict screening measures are in place for all incoming relief workers to the island following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

“All relief workers entering Jamaica are subject to established health screening protocol designed to protect both the national response effort and the communities they serve,” the ministry said.

Among the protocols outlined by the ministry are pre-arrival verification, which requires agencies to confirm that deployed personnel are fit for duty and free from communicable illnesses that could pose a public health risk.

There is also port-of-entry screening, including a pre-arrival review based on countries visited within the last six weeks, as well as a brief health assessment by public health inspectors upon arrival. This may include temperature checks, symptom reviews, and verification of vaccination status, depending on prevailing risks.

Additionally, the ministry said there is also on-island monitoring that also requires organisations to promptly report any worker who becomes ill during deployment. Public health teams will provide guidance or intervention as needed, and missions fall under the enhanced post-disaster surveillance system.

The ministry also noted that temporary housing used by emergency medical teams is inspected to ensure safe excreta disposal, solid-waste management, and adequate hygiene facilities.