Additional field hospitals are earmarked for setup across Western Jamaica as post-hurricane emergency care expands, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa which battered that section of the island.

The first emergency field hospital began operations this week following setup at the Black River High School, St. Elizabeth earlier this week.

“A second field hospital, courtesy of the Government of Spain and the European Union, has arrived in Jamaica and is enroute to the Falmouth Hospital where it is to be installed,” said Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, CD, MP, during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday (November 6, 2025).

“Another 24 to 30 bed field hospital is to be installed at the Cornwall Regional Hospital,” the Minister continued. The facility is being provided courtesy of the Government of Barbados.

Highlighting the severity of the situation in Westmoreland, the Minister revealed that another field hospital is to be established at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, together with a field clinic.

“We are also looking to install a field hospital at Whitehouse, also in Westmoreland,” the Minister added.

Meanwhile, a team of some 60 experienced medical and operational specialists with Samaritan’s Purse are present to run the Black River. Emergency Field Hospital and are working in tandem with local doctors to deliver care.

That Emergency Field Hospital was set up by members of the Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team, with the support of the Jamaica Defence Force and other partners.

Already, the 40,000-square feet facility with more than 30 inpatient beds, has started to see patients, and will offer emergency services, including surgical procedures; maternal and neonatal care; as well as laboratory and pharmaceutical services, and a blood bank.

The Ministry is continuing its assessment of damage across the health sector, with the support of geo-spatial mapping being carried out by the National Epidemiology Branch to determine the scope of damage and priority placement of external assistance.