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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
(L-R) Dr. Joachim Von Braunmuehl, UN Resident Coordinator, Jamaica and Dr. Gerry Eijkemans,
PAHO/WHO Representative to The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands discuss disaster relief
coordination for The Bahamas
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The Pan American Health Organization’s Financial Commitment to Support Recovery, Rebuilding and Restoration of Access to Health Care in The Central and Southern Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas – At a briefing of disaster agency coordinators and health officials at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), outlined its commitments to support recovery efforts of the Ministry of Health in the Central and Southern Bahamas – in the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin.
Dr. Gerry Eijkemans, PAHO/WHO Representative for The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, revealed PAHO’s pledge of over $100,000 (and growing) in emergency funding to support the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment and Housing in relief efforts. “From the inception of this crisis, PAHO immediately made available funding and human resources to assist the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment in their emergency relief response – deploying five experts in disaster management to the country to complement our local office and Ministry of Health teams. And as the only resident United Nations agency in
PAHO Regional Response Team prepares for briefing at the National Emergency Management Agency
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The Bahamas, we were here to accompany the government from the onset.”
Coordinating with the Ministry of Health in damage and public health assessments, the latest data revealed that out of 16 health centres/clinics in the worst affected islands – namely Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador – two (2) were destroyed, six (6) suffered moderate damage or remain non-operational, five (5) remain operational, and three (3) remain unknown.
(L-R): Judith Scavella, Ministry of Health Representative to NEMA Emergency Operations Centre and
Marcelle Johnson, Ministry of Health Disaster Coordinator – provide health assessment updates with
Dr. Gerry Eijkemans, PAHO/WHO Representative to The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
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The assessment also brought up concerns around water, sanitation and vector control. “We have seen large bodies of standing water for days – and will have to ensure strong public health measures. Keeping mosquito and rodent populations under control is a priority”, Dr. Eijkemans commented. “Additionally, a main priority is the prevention of any outbreaks due to water and sanitation issues. Contaminated wells should not be used for drinking, cooking or bathing. Water used for bathing needs to be decontaminated with bleach (chlorine). And only bottle water or potable water should be used for drinking and cooking,” Dr. Eijkemans instructed.
The PAHO/WHO country representative outlined immediate relief that the Ministry of Health and PAHO will bring to these communities. “We are providing 4 large 15kW generators for the main affected clinics to support emergency restoration of functioning health care facilities. We are also supporting replacement of lost drugs and vaccines, if needed.”
PAHO will also support the purchase of refrigeration (cooling units) to ensure proper supply of the vaccines and essential medicines. In addition, Dr. Eijkemans confirmed, “We are also providing fuel drums and hand-held diesel pumps for easy refueling of the generators. Additionally, we have procured 10 iridium satellite phones to support communication efforts between the health facilities.”
Community health clinic in Clarence Town, Long Island severely damaged during Hurricane Joaquin
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To support vector control, PAHO is supporting the Department of Environmental Health Services, with several handheld foggers and two truck mounted foggers to strengthen mosquito-fogging exercises on the affected islands. “PAHO is also supporting the purchase of insect (mosquito) repellent and has coordinated with the Dominican Republic a donation of malathion (an insecticide) to further control mosquito populations. We have also sourced aquatabs and chlorine to improve water and sanitation efforts”
The Ministry of Health representatives recognized the support and ongoing partnership between PAHO/WHO and The Bahamas, recognizing that this joint effort plays an important role to improve the quality of life and health of Bahamian citizens who have been severely impacted by hurricane Joaquin.
“PAHO has and will continue to remain committed to the restoration of these communities and daily lives of the citizens impacted by this devastating storm. We believe that our strong partnership with The Bahamas Government will help to make this a reality”, said Dr. Eijkemans.
About PAHO/WHO
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency with more than 100 years of experience in working to improve health and living standards of the countries of the Americas. It serves as the specialized organization for health of the Inter-American System. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization and enjoys international recognition as part of the United Nations system.
About PAHO/WHO in The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands
The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) was first established in The Bahamas in 1978 as a sub-regional office of the Jamaica Office. By 1982, it was upgraded to a full Country Office Status.
Since then, an important and healthy relationship has evolved, and although the priorities have shifted,
PAHO/WHO has enjoyed a long history of engaging and supporting the Bahamas and Turks Caicos to ensure better health and quality of life of the general population.
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