Sombre farewell as Americares ends life-saving mission in Hanover
Published:Friday | December 19, 2025 | 12:09 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The atmosphere at the Chester Castle Health Clinic in Hanover was sombre on Thursday as the Americares Field Clinic and its team of volunteers concluded their tour of duty, bringing to an end weeks of service to the community in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
The hurricane caused extensive damage to health facilities across Hanover, disrupting access to medical care for many residents. In response, Americares and its volunteers stepped in to fill the gap left by the destruction.
“The Chester Castle Health Centre was devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The roof was totally damaged, furniture and equipment got wet, the ceiling deck was compromised, so there was no space for us to continue offering service to the community,” said Aldwayne Beckford, the parish manager for Hanover Health Services. “Through the partnership with Americares, we were able to continue offering services.”
Americares is a global health non-profit organisation (NGO) based in the United States. It works at various locations worldwide, focusing on healthcare, based on the needs created by disasters and other emergencies. The organisation worked in Jamaica following Hurricane Beryl in 2024 and was in Chester Castle for four weeks.
John O’Rourke, an emergency medical technician (EMT) and leader of the field team, told The Gleaner that the volunteer group comprised 16 health professionals, including physicians, nurses, mental health practitioners, and personnel specialising in water and sanitation, logistics, and operations.
“It has been a really amazing experience here in Chester Castle. I think we have been welcomed by the community, the Hanover parish on a whole, and up to the highest ranks in the Ministry of Health,” he stated.
DONATIONS
He explained that while the team will soon depart the island, some of the equipment and medications brought to Jamaica will be donated to the Chester Castle Health Clinic through the Ministry of Health and Wellness, though he did not specify the items.
“We will be taking certain items we brought back with us, but [for] the majority of the items, we are working hand in hand with our partners at the Ministry of Health in the Hanover parish to ensure that it is donated for use now, and potential future use down the line. We are working to make sure that that donation is done smoothly, and that any items we are not carrying back to the United States will be left in good hands for use going forward,” he said.
O’Rourke added that Americares is shifting its focus toward long-term recovery, noting that the health needs arising from Hurricane Melissa will persist well beyond the immediate aftermath.
“We know that after a storm like Melissa, the needs are not going to go away any time soon, and so, we are pivoting towards a kind of longer-term recovery, working in collaboration with our partners in the Ministry of Health and NGO partners, addressing the physical health as well as the mental health needs, which are starting to become more apparent in the months after the storm,” he continued.
NEEDS MET AT CRITICAL TIME
According to O’Rourke, the field clinic conducted more than 800 individual consultations during its operation at Chester Castle, including over 110 mental health consultations.
“The types of things we are seeing run from chronic diseases; sometimes people have lost their medicines during the storm and they need more medicines, which is provided at our pharmacy here, where we also fill prescriptions free; and treating wounds as well as infections,” he added.
Expressing gratitude, Beckford said Americares met a critical need at a crucial time and would be remembered for its contribution to the community. He also welcomed the organisation’s decision to donate some of its equipment to the parish’s health department, noting that it would support the continuation of healthcare services for residents.
Beckford explained that the field clinic provided all services typically offered at a primary care facility, with the exception of dental and oral health services.