Business View Caribbean | September 2019

10 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN SEPTEMBER 2019 On Grand Bahama Island, Rand Memorial Hospital has 70 nurses, 3 emergency physicians and senior health officers on standby for medical needs on other islands, and the Ministry of Health is setting up a rotating system for physicians and nurses to provide support to Marsh Harbour Clinic. But PAHO noted that extensive flooding in both affected islands, damage to the Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport, Grand Bahama, displacement of persons as a result of property damage or loss, and psychological trauma of the population could bring additional public health challenges. PAHO is also working closely with The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and other international partners to support the Government of the Bahamas in rapidly assessing the damage from Hurricane Dorian and in prioritizing needs. PAHO’s country office in the Bahamas is also working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency of The Bahamas. Experts are assessing what medical supplies will be needed, after an evaluation of the country’s health facilities and their operational status. Other countries and organizations in the Caribbean and elsewhere have offered to send emergency medical teams, Dr. Ugarte said, but an assessment of needs must be completed first. It said it will liaise with international partners to mobilize human and financial resources to respond to the health sector needs identified and requested by the national authorities. A Rapid Assessment is crucial to assist the Health Ministry in the implementation of urgent life-saving interventions