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ANGUILLA – RAPID ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH FACILITIES 14TH

SEPTEMBER 2017

SUMMARY: Princess Alexandra Hospital fully functional, despite damage to nursery, pediatrics, antenatal,

delivery and postnatal rooms, and female wards.

All four health centres closed and not operational as they suffered varying levels of damage.

Environmental health unit sustained severe damage and concerned about their storage facilities.

Dental unit also suffered major damage, with 4 dental chairs out of 5 out of commission.

The Welches Polyclinic will be absorbing the patient load of all four non-operational health

facilities, including the immunization and dental services.

Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens Home is functional and did not experience any damage.

Medical team from Cayman Islands deployed to support Princes Alexandra Hospital.

a. STATUS OF HEALTH FACILITIES:

1. Name: Princess Alexandra Hospital

Beds: 34 Status: Fully operational Date visited: 12th September 2017

Hospital is now fully functional and providing regular health services being provided.

Total 12 patients at hospital, including 3 postnatal mothers

Areas where roof was damaged: Nursery, pediatrics, antenatal, delivery and postnatal rooms,

and female wards. Temporary repairs done by British soldiers. Equipment and supplies in these

areas damaged.

Princess Alexandra Hospital

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Damaged roof of Male and Female Wards, Princess Alexandra Hospital

With the abovementioned damage, hospital staff has reorganized services to accommodate

patients seeking antenatal and postnatal services.

Deliveries x 3 babies since Irma.

Some of outpatient records got wet, including some of the medical supplies. Medical stores now

being cleaned but due to mold in the building, they may need to relocate supplies.

Power supply - hospital currently on generator, fuel supply is not an issue.

Water supply - water is available thru cistern.

Medical staff complimented by 11-member medical team (2 doctors, 8 nurses and 1 EMT) from

Cayman Islands who arrive 12 Sept 2017.

Power supply – generator, fuel is ok.

Water supply – cistern (rain water for washing, etc and bottled water for drinking).

Destroyed Antenatal

Room, Princess

Alexandra Hospital

Damaged ceiling of

walkway to Male &

Female Wards, Princess

Alexandra Hospital

Destroyed Pediatrics

Ward, Princess

Alexandra Hospital

Medical stores being

cleaned, Princess

Alexandra Hospital

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2. Name: The Valley Health Centre Beds: 0 Status: Not operational, closed Date visited: 12th September 2017

Some damage to roof, front doors gone

Water leakage

Damage to supplies and equipment

Vaccines moved to Welches Polyclinic

Roof damage noted at the back of the Valley Health Centre

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3. Name: Environmental Health Unit (EHU) Status: Destroyed Date: 12th September 2017

Suffered major damage

There’s concern re integrity of storage room of chemicals.

EHU currently operating from the Water Lab office next door.

Limited availability of vehicles to do services (e.g. clean up, vector control activities, etc) – no

crane truck available to move bulky waste, 1 vehicle for vector control damaged.

Unstable base of storage room for chemical supplies, Environmental Health

Unit

Shattered window,

Environmental Health Unit

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4. Name: Dental Unit Dental chairs: 5 Status: Severely damaged. Not operational Date: 12th September 2017

Major roof damage

Out of the 5 dental chairs, 4 were damaged

Most equipment and supplies damaged

Major clean up done by dental staff

Dental services will be moved to Welches Polyclinic

Damaged dental room (1) Corridor, Dental Unit Damaged dental room (2)

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5. Name: Ann-Victoria Smith Polyclinic (Welches Polyclinic) Beds: 0 Status: Fully operational Date visited: 13th September 2017

No damage reported, only water seepage thru window in one of the consultation room

The polyclinic will absorb patients covered by the Valley Health Centre and East End Clinic

Dental Until will be moved to the polyclinic

Fridge for vaccines moved from the Valley Health Centre. Cold Chain wasn’t compromised.

Water supply ok

Generator and fuel ok

Vaccines not compromised at the

Welches Polyclinic

Water intrusion via damaged window

shutters, Welches Polyclinic

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6. Name: Water Laboratory Status: Operational Date visited: 12th September 2017

Some windows broken.

Some leaking reported.

Clean up of being done

7. Name: Miriam Gumbs Seniors Citizens Home

Beds: 19 Status: Fully operational Date visited: 12th September 2017

No damage reported.

Some leaking noted.

8. Name: East End Clinic Beds: 0 Status: Not operational, closed Date visited: 13th September 2017

Leaking inside reported.

No major issue noted in structure

outside. Guttering lost

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9. Name: South Hill Health Centre Status: Not operational, closed Date visited: 13th September 2017

Sustained minimal damaged to guttering

Water intrusion thru small window

Need generator to function

May also absorb some patients from

the Valley

10. Name: West End Clinic Status: Not operational, closed Date visited: 13th September 2017

Minimal damage to roof

Decision to be taken when to open

Water intrusion noted due to damaged

window shutters

PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE: PAHO Country Program Specialist providing psychosocial support to some staff of the health

authorities.

Local Red Cross providing psychosocial support in communities.

IDENTIFIED NEEDS: 1. Clean up and re-establish health services at the Valley Health Centre

2. Procure the required medical equipment and supplies (based on the needs list sent)

3. Procure the necessary environmental health supplies and equipment for vector control (insecticides

and other chemicals, possibly a crane truck or pick up truck)

4. Repair of affected areas in the Princess Alexandra Hospital, including the replacement of damaged

critical medical equipment and supplies in these areas

5. Procure dental equipment and supplies, including repair of dental unit.

6. Additional medical staff to relieve current staff on the ground.

7. Support provision of health services in the Welches Polyclinic as they absorb patients who normally

seek care at the Valley Health Centre

8. Psychosocial care for staff and ensure community psychosocial support continued by Red Cross.

9. Clean up and re-establish health services at the other affected health facilities (West End, South Hill

and East End)