Medical Boon for Bluefields as St John Ambulance, JN Provide Care for Residents

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Oral Fraser (left), resident of Bluefields, Westmoreland shares his ordeal during Hurricane Melissa with Carlene Edwards, Head, Promotions and Sponsorship, The Jamaica National Group, during a mission by St John Ambulance and the JN Foundation in the community recently to survey the medical needs of the residents and provide first aid care. Miss Edwards was one of the 23 volunteers from the JN Group.

Despite sleeping on a mattress in his kitchen since Hurricane Melissa’s landfall on October 28, Oral Fraser remains optimistic. His home in Bluefields, Westmoreland was torn apart by Hurricane Melissa, but Mr Fraser is thankful for life and grateful he could receive medical attention for his left knee that was injured during the storm.

Mr Fraser was one of 109 residents from Bluefields, Westmoreland who received medical attention from a team of more than 140 volunteers and medical professionals from St John’s Ambulance Jamaica and the JN Foundation at Belmont Academy, as they brought first aid care to residents of one the worst affected areas in the country over the weekend along with care packages. Since the hurricane, the teams have seen and treated close to 1,000 people across the parishes of St Elizabeth and Westmoreland with minor injuries sustained during the hurricane and others- mainly the elderly- who have chronic ailments but lost their prescribed medication during the disaster.

“A little after the eye passed, it was like the hurricane turned back,” Mr Fraser described his ordeal with Hurricane Melissa to volunteers. “The wind came with a roar, swirling everything. All we could see was white. Then, houses started collapsing all around us.”

He continued: “I was trying to escape from my bedroom with my wife and seven-year-old grandson who was with me, because the zinc and board were spinning around as if there were caught in a tornado when I fell and hurt my knee. We had to leave and go in the kitchen, which along with the bathroom are the only concrete part of my house,” he added.

Mr Fraser was grateful for the medical assistance because his knee was swollen, due to an accumulation of fluid in the cap.

“I got some medication for the pain and to treat the swelling. I also got a form to do an X-ray, but the Black River Hospital is only seeing emergency cases. I am happy that I got some medicine, which can help me as I try to get back on my feet. I am grateful for life,” he said.

Mr Fraser’s story was one of many. Georgiana Walker, a mother of four, was also treated after her house collapsed during the storm.

“I was trying to save my house from being blown away during the storm,” said the mother of four. “The entire house collapsed on me. Since then, I have been having pains all over to the point where if I got material to start rebuilding tomorrow, I could not hold a hammer properly. I got some painkillers which will help me, but it has been hard,” she said.

Patsy Campbell, who brought her 16-year-old granddaughter for medical attention was happy that her grandchild could also receive medical care.

“While trying to escape the pieces of zinc that were flying around, she fell and sprained her right ankle and got cut by a piece of zinc on her right hand. It needed to be urgently looked on by a doctor because it was becoming infected and I am glad they are referring us to the Black River Hospital as an emergency case,” she explained.

DSC_51321 - The Jamaica National Group Limited — Photo Caption Dr Lazarus Davids left a medical volunteer with the St Johns Ambulance Jamaica team prescribes medication for a resident of Bluefields Westmoreland during a mission by the organisation to the community recently St John Ambulance Jamaica and The Jamaica National Group undertook the mission to survey the medical needs of the residents and provide first aid care

Dr Lazarus Davids, a medical volunteer with the St John’s Ambulance Jamaica team, said treating the injuries of the residents and providing those who had lost their medication during the hurricanes with assistance would lift the morale of the community.

“It was a pleasure for us to treat the different ailments that the residents had as well as provide medication for those who didn’t receive any injuries but needed the assistance because they had run out. I think this will help them to feel a lot better in the upcoming days,” he said.

In addition to medical care, residents received care packages from the JN Foundation. The Jamaica Automobile Association provided a generator and Starlink satellite service, allowing residents to charge their phones and reconnect with loved ones.

Tajmarie Marsh, a JN volunteer, said she felt compelled to help after hearing about the devastation.

“When I heard that the hurricane had ravaged this part of the island, I knew I wanted to help,” she said. “I immediately signed up with the foundation to assist in whatever way I could. Hearing the residents’ story of what they went through is heartbreaking and this is a way in which I can assist,” she affirmed.

Shamoy Martin, another JN volunteer added that bringing medical assistance to the community eased the burden the residents were facing.

“The medical team was well-received by the residents especially those who could not go to the doctor before,” she said. “It was an emotional moment for me seeing them receive medical treatment and the look on their faces. As someone who likes giving back to the community, this was a good moment for me,” she said.

Omar Wright, Lead, Environment and Community Development Programmes, at the JN Foundation, said the JN Foundation in collaboration with St John’s Ambulance would continue to assist Jamaicans adversely affected by Hurricane Melissa.

“We were pleased to provide medical care for the residents of Bluefields who were in need. Many sustained injuries during the hurricane or ran out of medicine and this initiative is one way in which we are providing support at this time. We will continue to assist residents in the badly affected parishes,” he stated.