KINGSTON, Jamaica — With more than 2,600 Ministry of Health employees reporting property damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa — including 217 now left homeless — Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has unveiled a comprehensive welfare initiative to help affected workers get back on their feet.
Speaking at Thursday’s post-hurricane media briefing, Tufton said that even as health teams showed extraordinary resilience before, during, and after the violent October 28 storm, they have not been spared its devastation.
“The ministry is giving the matter of staff welfare — including attention to our team’s mental health — a major priority area as part of our restoration and recovery,” Tufton declared. “We have begun a staff welfare initiative to assess the full impact of the hurricane on team members in the sector and to support their recovery.”
The initiative spans several support areas. Psychosocial assistance will include expanded mental health awareness, coping-skills development, and trauma-informed care, while the financial component will involve partnering with financial institutions to help staff access resources for rebuilding.
Tufton stressed that many workers “have lost their personal possessions, their roofs, their cars, and other items.” While the ministry’s support may not take the form of direct cash, he said the entity will be helping staff navigate existing assistance channels.
He noted that talks have already been held with the National Housing Trust (NHT) to identify affected employees who may qualify for housing-related relief. “There are other agencies that we intend to have dialogue with, as far as trying to assist staff to mount a response to the devastation,” the minister added.
The Ministry’s ‘Healthcare Workers Support Form’, launched on November 6, has so far captured 2,619 entries — 2,033 females and 586 males — with most affected workers falling between ages 26 and 33. However, data for 518 staff members is still outstanding due to ongoing communication challenges in several communities.
As expected, the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), which oversees heavily battered parishes such as Hanover, St James, Trelawny, and Westmoreland, accounts for the largest share of affected staff at 1,512. This is followed by the Southern Regional Health Authority (579), North East (328), and South East (171), reflecting the storm’s uneven but destructive path.
The ministry’s corporate office and the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) reported the fewest affected workers, 15 and 14 respectively.
Overall, 54 health facilities have reported staff affected by Melissa’s rampage. Those with the highest impact include Cornwall Regional Hospital, St Elizabeth Parish Health Department, Sav-la-Mar Hospital, St James Parish Health Department, Noel Holmes Hospital, and Black River Hospital.
“This is important for us because our staff make everything happen,” Tufton said. “Jamaica depends on them, patients depend on them, and so we are going to do what is necessary to ensure that they get appropriate attention. We have a plan; we are working that plan.”
Pauline Spencer-Smith, acting director of the NCDA and leader of the ministry’s staff welfare effort, said it is clear many workers are still far from normalcy.
Communication remains patchy across multiple parishes, and many communities remain without electricity or water. Numerous workplaces also face unstable power supply — yet Spencer-Smith noted that roughly 80 per cent of workers have still reported for duty.
She outlined the current damage breakdown:
- 741 staff with minor damage
- 1,131 with moderate damage
- 530 with major damage
- 217 now homeless
Health workers have reported urgent needs including roof, window, and door repairs; replacement furniture and clothing; equipment replacement; food and care packages; medication assistance; and disability-related support.
With the welfare programme now underway, the ministry says the focus remains on ensuring that the people who keep Jamaica’s health system functioning receive the help they need to rebuild their lives
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