Bahamas Information Services Updates
NEMA Gets Medical Equipment for Crooked Island Clinic
By Lindsay Thompson, BIS
Jul 22, 2016 - 4:26:48 PM

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, accepted donation of medical equipment from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. through the Pan American Development Foundation, July 21, 2016 at NEMA. Pictured l-r are Judith Scavella, Senior Nursing Officer and Disaster Coordinator, Department of Public Health; Captain Stephen Russell, Director, NEMA; and Roberto Obando, Project Director, PADF. (BIS Photo/Lindsay Thompson)

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, was pleased to accept an assortment of vital medical equipment from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., facilitated by the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), for the community clinic in Crooked Island which was severely damaged during the passage of Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015.

The equipment was handed over during a press conference and Signing of Memorandum at NEMA on Thursday, July 21, 2016.

The MOU, detailing the particulars of the equipment, was signed by Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA and Roberto Obando, Project Director, PADF.

The equipment, at an estimated $10,000, will be placed in the Government Clinic at Colonel Hill, Crooked Island, once repairs are completed -- scheduled for the end of August.

Reconstruction efforts in the health sector are vital to the well-being and safety of this remote island, with a population of about 330 residents. Through coordination with NEMA and the Ministry of Health, PADF will donate the most urgently-needed medical equipment to facilitate the reopening of the clinic.

With funding from Royal Caribbean, PADF has procured essential medical equipment including an examination table, vital signs monitor, defibrillator, centrifuge, electrocardiogram machine and a wheelchair, to help the clinic resume its day-to-day operations.

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, accepted donation of medical equipment for the Crooked Island Clinic, July 21, 2016. Pictured from left are Charo Walker-Morley, Programme Coordinator, PADF; Roberto Obando, Project Director, PADF; Captain Stephen Russell, Director, NEMA; and Judith Scavella, Senior Nursing Officer and Disaster Coordinator, Department of Public Health. (BIS Photo/Lindsay Thompson)

Underscoring the importance of such a donation, Captain Russell said NEMA believes PADF’s assistance is timely and appropriate. “We truly appreciate the tremendous partnership, especially in the past eight months of generators, drop cords and other supplies for the areas severely impacted by (the Category 4) Hurricane Joaquin,” he said.

Judith Scavella, Senior Nursing Officer and Disaster Coordinator, Department of Public Health noted the severity of the damage to the clinic, and said repairs are expected to be completed by the end of August. She said that the much-needed medical equipment would go along way in serving the residents on the island.

Mr. Obando noted that the Pan American Development Foundation has had a relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean for over 50 years. And most recently, it has donated about $2 million to this region, including the Pan American Development Foundation Response and Recovery Assistance Package to The Bahamas.

He said the PADF was happy to organize the donation for The Bahamas: especially to cater to the medical needs of residents of Crooked Island.

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