KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a dedicated medical mission led by Dr. Alfred Dawes, the Opposition Spokesman on Health and Wellness, has brought critical support to the parishes of Hanover and Westmoreland. The initiative, launched on Saturday morning, aims to assist hospitals, healthcare workers, and residents severely impacted by the devastating storm. The 31-member team, which includes Dr. Katia Maria Aguilera, Head of the Cuban Medical Brigade, along with doctors, medical students, and nurses, has volunteered their time and expertise to address urgent medical needs. The mission is primarily focused on supporting the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital and the Noel Holmes Hospital, where they are providing essential services such as health checks, wound care, and general medical assistance. Additionally, the team is distributing vital supplies, including sterile gloves, disinfectants, repellents, feminine hygiene products, medication, and bottled water. If time allows, they plan to extend their efforts to reach isolated communities previously cut off by the storm. Dr. Dawes emphasized the mission’s dual purpose of action and compassion, stating, ‘Our healthcare workers and communities in the west have been under tremendous strain since Hurricane Melissa. Today, we’re bringing not just supplies, but hope and solidarity to those who need it most.’ He also highlighted the importance of collective effort in national recovery, noting, ‘We all have a role to play in helping each other and rebuilding our country. This mission is a reminder that when we come together across professions, communities, and borders, we can make a real difference.’ Dr. Dawes expressed gratitude to the volunteers and partners who made the initiative possible, adding that the team will continue to assess urgent healthcare needs in the affected areas and coordinate additional support in the coming days.