Approximately 30 Donor Agencies and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) met with the Ministry of Health & Wellness this morning for the first in a series of Health Cluster Response Meeting in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in a bid to coordinate a strategic health response.

The meeting, which was held at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston, saw local and international entities being provided with updates on the state and occupancy of Primary and Secondary Care Facilities in Jamaica, particularly those in the severely affected western end of the island.

Discussions were also held regarding the resources needed to reconvene health services at some facilities, and the correct procedures and protocols for Donor Organizations and NGOs to adhere to when providing aid.

In his remarks, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, CD, MP noted that to maximize the relief efforts, it is important allentities operate under one umbrella.

“We want to thank all the groups and organizations that have reached out to us in the wake of hurricane Melissa to provide support, however, what we want to highlight and emphasize is coordination. We need to all operate under one umbrella so we can maximize the impact on the ground”, the Minister said.

PAHO/WHO Representative to Jamaica, Mr. Ian Stein, says he hopes the Health Cluster will help to ensure order in the health emergency response system.

“The Health Cluster is an important mechanism in ensuring we have order in response. The most important concept is that we will need to embrace a lifesaving and life conserving approach as we lean into our expertise to coordinate and align with the framework that already exist that is necessary to guide us”, Mr. Stein said.

Donor Agencies and Non-Government Organizations interested in providing health aide/support to the Ministry’s relief efforts are invited to email the Ministry of Health and Wellness at [email protected].