Kingston, Jamaica, 26 August 2024 - The recent passage of Hurricane Beryl not only put Jamaica's infrastructure to the test but also provided a critical examination of the island's Smart Health Centres, particularly those in the hard-hit southern parishes, which bore the brunt of the Category 4 storm's destructive force.
Beryl provided a defining moment for the Mandeville and Santa Cruz Health Centres, which were two of the four facilities upgraded to ‘gold standard’ under the Strengthening Healthcare Facilities in the Caribbean (Smart Hospitals Programme Phase 2). Notably, preliminary assessments conducted after the storm revealed minimal damage to both health centres. The US$12 million project in Jamaica, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), involved comprehensive enhancements to 4 health centres and notable improvements to 8 others aimed at bolstering their resilience.
The ‘Smart’ Hospitals Programme Phase 2 undertook upgrades to buildings and roofs, installed shutters, and implemented green technology systems such as solar systems, rainwater harvesting, and LED lighting. These upgrades also included safety improvements such as reinforced structural connections, new doors, and hurricane shutters. Additionally, systems for efficient cooling, ventilation, waste management, improved drainage, and a photovoltaic system for backup power and water during emergencies were incorporated. Functional improvements expanded patient waiting areas, installed emergency exits, and improved disabled access ramps.
Sandia Ferguson, Parish Manager for Manchester Health Services, noted that while the facility was not significantly damaged, there were minor leaks in two areas, as well as the administrative building. She especially praised the photovoltaic system, which operated continuously during power outages and provided valuable support for clinical services to the people of Mandeville and surrounding communities and the functioning of the parish’s Health Emergency Operations Centre.
"Having weathered the storm, these Smart Health Centres underscore the necessity of robust healthcare infrastructure in regions vulnerable to natural disasters," noted Ian Stein, PAHO/WHO Jamaica Representative. "The Smart facilities serve as a model for adaptation, essential in strengthening and safeguarding public health systems amidst climate uncertainty."
Additionally, PAHO has hired and deployed three specialized consultant engineers who are currently evaluating the building infrastructure, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, along with the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) elements, at 16 healthcare facilities across the island.
For her part, Judith Slater, British High Commissioner to Jamaica said, “I was heartened, but not surprised, to learn that the Mandeville and Santa Cruz ‘Smart' Health Centres withstood Beryl’s worst to emerge with minimal damage. And, that these centres have been able to serve their surrounding communities, as normal, since the storm. This is a solid example of why it is important to make these long-term, sustainable investments in infrastructure and I’m proud the UK was able to fund this vital initiative.”
The Smart Health Care Facilities Project serves as a blueprint for effective disaster and climate resilience infrastructure. Integrating resilient design standards into the health sector reflects a broader effort to mitigate disruptions and ensure continuity in healthcare services during emergencies.
The project exemplifies how targeted infrastructure improvements can enhance the capacity of healthcare systems to withstand and recover from natural disasters, ensuring that communities continue to receive essential services even in the face of severe weather events.
