The unseen lifesavers

Western Bureau:

The nation’s public health inspectors have received high praise from Brigadier Mahatma Williams of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) for the professional and lifesaving role they played across Jamaica as the country grappled with the challenges following Hurricane Melissa.

Williams, who delivered the keynote address at the recent opening ceremony of the 80th annual educational conference of the Jamaica Association of Public Health Inspectors (JAPHI) in Hanover, told The Gleaner that he was particularly impressed with the work of the inspectors, a sentiment he said was also shared by international donors.

“The public health inspectors gave us some guidance during the post Melissa period into areas and items that should be given priorities,” said Williams, noting that they were knowledgeable and had the required expertise. “I think that the international aid agencies understood the role they had to play and were playing, and it was good that we had public health inspectors who knew the international standards as well.”

Important lessons

During his keynote address, Williams spoke about the strategies employed by the JDF before and after the Category 5 hurricane, as well as the important lessons learnt in coordinating and executing the various plans.

“This is my big lesson to you, coordination, discipline, adaptability, accountability and compassion, I want to leave these with you because coordination will save lives, it will save time, and when you save time you save lives,” he told attendees, while explaining the strategies.

“... You must discipline your organisation to do what they say that they are going to do, and to make them adapt. If they cannot do it one way, adapt and find another way. Don’t use not being able to do it the way you always did it as an excuse not to do it at all, and so we are proposing to you that adaptability is very important.”

According to Williams, accountability and compassion are also important attributes that public health professionals must incorporate into their daily duties. He said his experience working alongside them in the aftermath of Melissa had given him a greater appreciation and understanding of their role.

“I must say that I am more educated about public health and public health inspectors with my experience during Melissa,” he said. “You were in that driver’s seat, that if it was not there, then there would have been a much greater disaster unfolding after Hurricane Melissa.”

Williams said much of the work undertaken by public health inspectors went unnoticed by the many relief organisations providing assistance during the period. He pointed to their role in helping to prevent any major outbreak of disease or infection across Jamaica in the aftermath of the hurricane.

O’Neil Brown, president of JAPHI, also commended the public health inspectors, noting that Hurricane Melissa had tested their resilience and professionalism, but they rose to the occasion despite many facing personal challenges.

“We witnessed disruption, damage, displacement, and immense pressure placed on essential services, yet amid the challenges the public health inspectors continued to serve, demonstrating commitment to the protection of public health, even while facing personal hardships,” he said, praising the level of readiness they displayed.

“We cannot protect the health of our communities effectively if we fail to prepare, equip, and support those entrusted with that responsibility.”

editorial@gleanerjm.com