VI officer helps with Jamaica relief effort

The Virgin Islands has deployed an environmental health officer to Jamaica to assist with restoring public-health services in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, according to government.

On Nov. 22, Frandy Felix joined a regional team coordinated by the Caribbean Public Health Agency, which is supporting the Barbados Defence Force and its Emergency Medical Team as they establish a field medical hospital in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, government said.

Jamaica’s hospital and primary-care infrastructure in the area were severely affected when Melissa made landfall on Oct. 28.

Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer Henrietta Alexander said Mr. Felix trained earlier this year in field hospital operations.

“He will support key environmental health functions as part of the multidisciplinary team responsible for clinical care, engineering support, water and sanitation, logistics and site coordination,” Ms. Alexander said.

Tasha Bertie, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, also commended the deployment, noting that environmental-health services are critical following a major disaster.

“Officer Felix’s expertise will help to safeguard water quality, sanitation and public health as Jamaica recovers,” she said. “His deployment reflects our ministry’s commitment to supporting our Caribbean neighbours.”

Long partnership

The VI has collaborated with CARPHA on multiple public-health initiatives in recent years, including mosquito-control support and other environmental-health projects.

Such partnerships, officials say, strengthen the territory’s capacity while also enabling it to contribute expertise throughout the region when disasters strike.

According to the ministry, the Jamaica deployment is part of its broader mission to protect and promote public health through strong policies, sustainable programmes and regional partnerships.