Sav hospital reckons with disturbing pickup in patient load post-Melissa
Published:Saturday | January 24, 2026 | 12:08 AMMickalia Kington/Gleaner Writer
In the days following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, doctors at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital began noticing a troubling pattern among patients seeking care.
Dr Suman Vemu, orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital, described the surge in injuries presented just days after the storm.
“Post-hurricane, after [the] third day, we started seeing more patients who stepped on nails… because of [the] wreckage [that] we see everywhere.”
For Vemu and his colleagues, the issue has gone beyond simple foot injuries. Many of the patients arriving at the hospital are living with uncontrolled diabetes, a condition that significantly increases the risk of infection and severe complications.
“It is detrimental when we see patients with uncontrolled diabetes and they are more prone to get infections and getting worse may turn into osteomyelitis as well,” he explained.
According to Vemu, disaster conditions such as debris-filled roads and damaged homes make proper footwear even more critical, especially for people with chronic illnesses. “It is very important for them to make sure that they have adequate footwear, so especially in the disaster time, but at the same time to keep their sugar in control is very very important,” he said.
While medical staff continue to treat these patients with urgency, Vemu noted that the biggest challenge often comes after patients leave the hospital.
“So, we see a lot of patients… treat them with antibiotics and we ask them to come back for reviews,” he said.
“But in spite of all our efforts, sometimes when they don’t take the medications in a timely manner, if they don’t keep their sugar in control or diabetes in control, it’s going to be challenging.”
When early treatment is delayed, what begins as a minor wound can quickly escalate into a serious medical emergency.
“These cases may turn into abscess where we have to do a procedure like incision and drainage,” Vemu said.
“That’s a challenge, as I said.”
PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION
He stressed that many of these hospital admissions could be avoided with prompt medical attention and patient compliance. When asked whether diabetic patients with infected feet could be considered part of the preventable cases contributing to hospital overcrowding, Vemu’s response was straightforward.
“Yes… it depends on what time they will be presenting,” he said. “So, whenever they step on these nails, they have to seek for… immediate help. So when they delay, these cases may turn into a serious infection.”
Early intervention, he said, can make a critical difference.
“So they need to make sure that they get a tetanus shot. So at the same time, antibiotics, if the wound is bleak and needs some cleaning as well,” he noted. “So when we do all of these in the initial stage, we can prevent these things from getting worse and admission in the hospital as well.”
Vemu emphasised that patient cooperation is essential in reducing unnecessary strain on an already overburdened health system.
“We need patient participation as well, not only doctor’s advice; they have to follow doctor’s advice,” he said.
While Vemu could not provide exact figures on how many nail-related injuries result in hospital admissions, he warned that patients with diabetes and weakened immune systems face a much higher risk.
Vemu’s observations on the ground form part of a wider picture of strain at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, a reality acknowledged by Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton during a visit to the facility on Friday.
Currently leading a tour of the hospitals in the Western Region, this visit followed stops in Mandeville in Manchester and Black River in St Elizabeth, with plans to visit Noel Holmes in Lucea, Hanover, Cornwall Regional in St James and Falmouth Hospital.
Despite ongoing criticism about working conditions, Tufton said the hospital continues to function under extraordinary pressure.
“I just want to say that a lot is happening at Savanna-la-Mar Hospital despite the challenges,” he said. “And I know that many have been pressured and have commented on some of the issues, you know, the NAJ (Nurses Association of Jamaica) and others, around the challenging working conditions. I fully accept that.”
PRESSING ISSUES
One of the most pressing issues, according to the minister, is overcrowding.
“They have nearly 300 beds occupied for a 220-bed facility,” Tufton said. “So there is an overcapacity.”
Storm damage has further complicated operations, especially as the Accident and Emergency (A&E) is under active renovation after leaking from the storm. Since the storm, patients had to be temporarily relocated.
As a result, the Barbados Field Hospital has been accommodating 55 patients as a spillover.
“That partnership is serving a useful purpose,” Tufton said, noting that the field hospital is expected to conclude operations within a week.
Tufton also highlighted ongoing reconstruction efforts, including the rebuilding of a previously destroyed outpatient clinic.
“The contractors are on site. As you can see, they have started to build, and we’re hoping that this building will finish by March,” he said.
Beyond infrastructure damage, the minister pointed to systemic challenges such as staffing shortages.
“There are about 34 posts of doctors to be filled, from specialists to basic, and additional capacity of nurses,” he said, adding that the vacancies place additional strain on existing staff.
Another significant contributor to overcrowding, Tufton noted, is the reduced use of health centres across the parish.
“Part of the overcrowding is caused by persons who are bypassing the health centres and coming straight to the hospital,” he said.
He echoed concerns raised by Vemu regarding patients not adhering to treatment plans.
“And persons who are not taking their medication,” Tufton said. “So their hypertension, their diabetes, if you don’t take the medication… you’re going to end up in A&E.”
While acknowledging the trauma many residents have endured, Tufton urged patients to seek care early.
“We want to use the opportunity to encourage them that they should try their very best to go to their health centres and get the services and the support while we try to build back both the health centre and the hospital,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Tufton expressed confidence in the hospital’s staff, praising the team’s resilience.
“And based on what I have seen here today, I think the team is up to the task and they really are trying. So I want to commend them.”
Tufton also said the country’s recovery would take time, particularly given the scale of destruction caused by the hurricane.
“We must never forget what we have been through and why it is going to take some time to get us back to where we are and even better,” he said.