Home Press Releases Health Sector Preparing to Respond to Health Emergencies due to the Passage of Hurricane Matthew

Health Sector Preparing to Respond to Health Emergencies due to the Passage of Hurricane Matthew

The Ministry of Health’s National Emergency Operations Centre (MOH NEOC), which directs and coordinates the activities of the health sector island wide, remains ready to respond to health emergencies associated with the passage of Hurricane Matthew.
This is a twenty four hour coordination by the MOH NEOC.
Ministry of Health ambulance teams remain on alert to facilitate emergency and rescue operation requests. Food and water supply are adequate at all hospitals. Additionally all hospitals have generating capacity for at least three days.
The environmental health team is monitoring the situation and vector control activities will be strengthened as soon as rains subside. Public health teams also are monitoring the one hundred and twenty (120) Shelters that have been opened across the island.
At 5p.m. today, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica downgraded the Hurricane Warning for Jamaica, replacing it with a Tropical Storm Warning, as the island is now expected to be outside of the range of hurricane-force winds associated with Hurricane Matthew but likely to experience tropical storm conditions.
Matthew is moving toward the north near 11 km/h (7 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue through Tuesday night, with a turn toward the north-northwest forecast for Wednesday
Individuals who wish to obtain more information may call the Ministry of Health’s
NEOC numbers (Landlines: 633-8116/8267/8156/8125, Toll Free: 1-888-663-5683 (One Love) and Cell numbers: 537-1709, 536-9125) or the nearest hospital.