Red Cross gives Sav-la-Mar Health Centre shot in the arm to fight flu

The Savanna-la-Mar Health Centre in Westmoreland has received a major boost in its ability to respond to rising flu cases and ongoing post-hurricane challenges, following a significant donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Jamaica Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Dr Marcia Graham, medical officer of health for Westmoreland, said the donation comes at a critical time as the parish grapples with an increase in influenza cases amid the flu season.

“We are here at the Savanna-la-Mar Comprehensive Health Centre receiving a very generous donation from the Jamaica Red Cross and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This donation consists of 69,000 pieces of personal protective equipment that will help us to be safer as we continue to offer very valuable care to our citizens, and it will also allow us to equip them to protect themselves,” Graham said.

She noted that the donation included a substantial supply of face masks, which are especially important, given the current seasonal spike in respiratory illnesses.

“We have quite a bit of face masks and we are right in the middle of the flu season, so it has come at a perfect time for us to use it to keep the citizens of Westmoreland safer at this time,” she said.

According to Graham, surveillance data from health centres across the parish show a clear increase in flu cases, affecting both patients and healthcare workers.

“Well, we have noticed, based on our surveillance at our health centres, that we are seeing an increased number of persons with the flu. As a matter of fact, even staff members are currently down with the flu,” she explained.

However, she said the availability of the influenza vaccine has been a key protective measure, noting that supplies arrived just before Hurricane Melissa impacted the island.

“The good thing is that we have the influenza vaccine. The storm did not impact that, because the supply arrived in the country just before Melissa arrived,” Graham said, while encouraging residents to make use of the vaccine.

Health officials are urging the public to practise respiratory precautions to reduce the spread of illness.

“We continue to encourage persons to take the respiratory precaution, the appropriate use of masks ... but also proper cough etiquette; making sure that they stay home if they are ill; and seek attention early, so that the flu does not turn into pneumonia and then they end up in hospital,” Graham said.

She added, “So we ask that the same precautions that kept us and helped us to get over the COVID-19 pandemic, it will help us through this flu season.”

Residents experiencing flu-like symptoms are being encouraged to seek care at health centres rather than hospitals, which should be reserved for emergencies.

“We encourage them to come to the health centre. We want to reserve the hospital services for accidents, emergencies, more critically ill persons,” Graham said.

She also stressed the importance of vaccination for vulnerable groups, including those with chronic illnesses.

“So persons who have chronic illnesses, like asthma, sickle cell disease, diabetes, HIV, we encourage them to get the flu vaccine so they can avoid the bad flu,” she said.

RESILIENT STAFF

Despite damage to the health centre from Hurricane Melissa, Graham praised the resilience of staff and the continued support from international partners.

“Well, the health centre was impacted, whereas the covering is still tarpaulin. But we have a very resilient staff, because some of our healthcare workers have been badly impacted. Some are still homeless, and yet they continue to come to work and to offer care,” she said.

She explained that damage to the facility reduced usable space, but additional support has helped maintain services.

“But this International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society have also donated to us a Winter Haven clinic tent that is on the compound,” Graham said, noting that the additional space is currently being used by the community mental health service.

Lieska Powell, emergency services manager with the Jamaica Red Cross, said the donation reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to supporting health services in Westmoreland following the hurricane.

“We’re here today to make an important donation to an important partner to the Jamaica Red Cross,” Powell said.

She noted that recovery efforts are still ongoing, months after the storm.

“Three months on, there’s still a lot of work to be done, particularly in the health sector,” Powell said.

Powell outlined earlier interventions by the Red Cross, including clean-up efforts and staffing support.

“It started with the clean-up of two health centres, Darliston and Petersfield Primary, and we’re also supporting the health centres through our health clinics, providing doctors and nurses to support the work of health centres in Westmoreland,” she said.

Kate Forbes, president of the IFRC, said her visit was aimed at assessing the impact of Hurricane Melissa and the effectiveness of the response on the ground.

“I’m here today to see the impact of Hurricane Melissa and the response from the Jamaican Red Cross, and how we can continue to help,” Forbes said.

She praised the collaboration between local and international partners.

“It’s such an honour to see the partnership between the Jamaican Red Cross, the minister of health, and the parish here,” Forbes said, adding, “They truly are making a difference serving the Jamaican people.”

Reaffirming the organisation’s long-term commitment, Forbes said, “We at the Red Cross are always the first here, but I’m most proud that we stay, that we’re often the last to leave. I like to say we don’t have an exit plan.”

mickalia.kington@gleanerjm.com