The UK-led initiative, “Smart’ Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean Project,” aiming to improve critical healthcare facilities’ infrastructure and environmental impact in the Caribbean, has proven to be a resounding success in Jamaica as Category 4 Hurricane Beryl caused extensive damage to the island.
The Mandeville and Santa Cruz Health Centers directly in Beryl’s path of destruction sustained minimal damage after having been reinforced under the UK, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) program. Some of the improvements included installing storm shutters, reinforcing roofs, and installing a solar power backup system to provide life-saving electricity during power outages.
Hurricane Beryl put these new improvements to the test after barreling through the island with 140-mph winds. Only minor leaks were reported at the reinforced healthcare facilities, with the solar power backup system working as intended and keeping the facility operational after the storm.
The success of the program has led to considerations of expanding the effort to more healthcare facilities in Jamaica and around the Caribbean. A changing climate has made the implementation of these improved standards more urgent. Whether this effort will extend to more areas of Jamaica and beyond remains to be seen, but these very promising results are hinting at a more resilient Caribbean.
By Sarah Ortega