CARPHA provides medical support to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has activated its Incident Management Team – Emergency Response protocol to assist Jamaica following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. CARPHA stated in a media release that this response was coordinated through the Regional Response Mechanism overseen by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). As the region’s primary public health authority, CARPHA’s involvement centered on swiftly evaluating the country’s health needs to inform immediate, ongoing, and long-term recovery strategies for the health sector.

This effort complemented the broader, multidisciplinary assessment conducted by the CDEMA-led Rapid Needs Assessment Team (RNAT), as per the release. The team included experts from various regional and international organizations, such as the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA), Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Barbados, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), University of the West Indies Television (UWI TV), Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) in Trinidad, Wellbright College in the USA, the World Bank, and the World Food Programme (WFP), among others.

CARPHA also reported that key leaders from the organization, including Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar, Incident Commander Dr. Horace Cox (Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention, and Control), and Mr. Megueal Julien (Emergency & Response and Early Warning Systems Epidemiologist under the Pandemic Fund), participated in high-level discussions with Jamaican health authorities and policymakers. Field assessments by the RNAT took place from November 1 to 5, 2025, covering regions such as Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, St. Andrews, St. Ann, St. James, and Trelawny. These engagements aimed to facilitate rapid health evaluations, coordinate efforts with national officials, and ensure that support and resources are effectively directed.

CARPHA’s technical support has concentrated on several critical areas, including:
– Rapid health sector assessments to identify urgent needs and existing gaps
– Disease surveillance, laboratory investigations, and outbreak prevention
– Guidance on public health risk mitigation strategies
– Strengthening coordination among health agencies and emergency responders

The agency highlighted extensive damage to health infrastructure throughout western and southern Jamaica, which has significantly impacted healthcare delivery, disease surveillance, and other public health initiatives. Damaged facilities reportedly include the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth, Savanna-la-Mar Hospital in Westmoreland, as well as community shelter sites such as William Knibb Memorial High School in Trelawny and Craighton Primary School in St. Andrew.

Reflecting on initial findings from a key site in St. Elizabeth, Dr. Cox expressed concern about the potential rise of disease outbreaks, stating:

“The risk of emergence and spread of diseases remains a concern, with increased disease threats such as gastroenteritis, dengue, and leptospirosis due to disruptions in water and sanitation facilities as well as increased vector proliferation”.  He further emphasized that, while injury reports surged immediately after the hurricane, the more pressing health threats may emerge in the coming weeks. Community engagement focused on reinforcing water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and vector control remains vital.

According to the report, looking ahead, CARPHA recommends follow-up assessments over the coming weeks in St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Trelawny. These will monitor progress in restoring WASH infrastructure, track disease trends, and support workforce stabilization. The agency plans to bolster surveillance systems for syndromic data, injuries, and shelter conditions, enhance laboratory capacity, and intensify community outreach—particularly around public health risks. Additionally, a second shipment of essential health supplies is being prepared for delivery to Jamaica.

While the initial deployment involved collaboration with CDEMA and the RNAT, CARPHA stated that its future interventions will be shaped through ongoing bilateral discussions with Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness. The overarching goal is to provide targeted technical assistance across key thematic areas.

“This RNAT deployment was financially supported by the Caribbean Development Fund (CDF), reinforcing the collective investment in resilient health systems and disaster preparedness while underscoring CARPHA’s commitment to regional solidarity and its mandate to safeguard public health across the Caribbean,” shared the release.