SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — A high-impact medical mission from Team Broken Earth (TBE) has wrapped up a week of intensive humanitarian work in Westmoreland, providing a vital lifeline to a health-care system still reeling from the catastrophic passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The Canadian not-for-profit entity, founded in Newfoundland and Labrador, deployed a team of 14 volunteers — including doctors, nurses, and specialised health professionals — to support the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital and several health centres across the parish between January 30 and February 7.

During their mission the team treated approximately 60 patients each day. Team members also participated in home visits where people who have not been keeping their clinic appointments and taking their medications were assisted in doing so.

CEO OF the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital Roan Grant was emphatic as he pointed out that TBE helped bridge a massive gap in manpower at public medical facilities.

According to Grant, the medical mission provided critical support in the hospital’s accident and emergency (A&E) department, the male surgical ward, internal medicine, and paediatrics, “as those are some of our critical areas where we are woefully short in terms of manpower”.

Grant told a media briefing at the hospital last Thursday that medical staff at the hospital were also greatly affected by the Category 5 storm which devastated Jamaica’s south-west and north-west communities when it his last October.

He said 75 to 80 per cent of staff in the parish of Westmoreland had their properties destroyed by the hurricane but continued to serve, despite their personal losses.

“So when we see persons coming in from [Team] Broken Earth and other entities, we really appreciate that gesture and hope that it continues on that path,” added Grant.

For emergency physician with TBE, Dr Kathie Thoms, the mission was about both clinical care and logistical support.

She said working in the A&E department, which recently underwent post-storm renovations, helped with managing the transition of patients from a field hospital provided by the Government of Barbados back into the main facility.

“It’s been nice to be able to help keep the flow through the A&E,” said Dr Thoms.

The TBE mission was made possible through a US$30,000 (approximately $4.6 million) sponsorship from telecommunications giant Flow Foundation and Liberty Foundation.

Operations and projects coordinator at Flow Foundation, Shelly-Ann O’Connor told the media briefing that the decision to partner with TBE was driven by a rigorous needs assessment.

“They proposed something to show us, ‘This is where the gaps are, and this is where we are coming in to help.’ And when we looked at that, we thought, ‘Okay, this is where we would want to go,’ ” said O’Connor.

In addition to the corporate backing, the TBE volunteers made significant personal sacrifices.

TBE’s CEO and Chief Medical Officer Michelle Murphy told the media briefing that volunteers took a week off from their jobs and paid US$2,500 out of pocket to participate.

“Donations such as this really go a long way in our organisation,” said Murphy who pointed out that TBE operates on a lean budget with a staff of only three, despite having a pool of up to 1,500 volunteers.

While the mission has ended, TBE volunteer Jessica Fisher indicated that it could signal the start of a long-term relationship with Westmoreland.

“What we have now is a very good foundation and understanding of how we can support teams locally,” stated Fisher, who indicated that future missions may include specialised surgeons over a short period of time, and the provision of ophthalmology and paediatric services.

TBE was established in 2010 in response to the major earthquake which devastated parts of Haiti. Since then the organisation has expanded its reach to Uganda, Guatemala, and now, a grateful Westmoreland, Jamaica.

.