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The leadership of the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland has expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support received from volunteers, partners, and community members, even as the institution continues to grapple with extensive damage to its facilities in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Senior Medical Officer (SMO), Dr. Suman Vemu, described the impact as “devastating”, noting that both the hospital and the wider community have been severely impacted. “Several parts of the hospital sustained damage, but the most significant loss is our field hospital, where we conduct outpatient clinics… . it’s been completely destroyed,” Dr. Vemu told JIS News. “We’ve also lost sections of the roof, sustained damage to our doctors’ quarters, air-conditioning units in our operating theatre, and suffered electrical damage in the lab and pharmacy. These are all essential areas for our services,” the SMO added. In light of these challenges, Dr. Vemu expressed deep appreciation for the volunteers who have already begun supporting the hospital’s recovery efforts. He was speaking in the context of the Solidarity Clean-up exercise, initiated by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which took place on Sunday (November 2) across four hospitals in western Jamaica. More than 200 volunteers, including representatives of the Ministry, and their families travelled to western Jamaica to assist with cleanup efforts at Falmouth, Cornwall Regional, Noel Holmes, and Savanna-la-Mar Hospitals. “Each individual in the community has been affected by this hurricane, so manpower is scarce. Still, we’ve seen volunteers coming forward to help us, and we’re so grateful. Even though we’ve managed to clean certain areas, we need more hands. Seeing a big team come in today really gives us hope,” Dr. Vemu said. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, Roan Grant, echoed the SMO’s sentiments, describing the hurricane’s impact as “unprecedented” and commending the institution’s staff for their resilience and dedication. “This hurricane wasn’t just a hit; it was a blow. In over 30 years of service, I’ve never seen anything like this. But our team, operations, customer service, dietary, public health, stood firm before, during, and after the storm. They worked tirelessly to keep services going,” he added. Mr. Grant commended the spirit of volunteerism that has emerged in the wake of the disaster. “When I see office staff working like construction workers, clearing debris side by side with health teams, it reminds me that many hands truly make light work. I’m deeply grateful for everyone who has stepped up,” he said. The SMO and CEO reaffirmed the commitment of Savanna-la-Mar Hospital to restoring full operations as swiftly as possible, while continuing to deliver essential medical services to the community. “We will rebuild. With the continued support of our volunteers, partners, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Sav Hospital will rise stronger than before,” Mr. Grant declared.
