Environmental Health Officer Frandy Felix joined the Barbados Defense Force (BDF) in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica, as part of a team put together by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. Photo: Facebook

The Barbados Defense Force is mobilised a Type 2 Field Medical Hospital at Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, following the October 2025 passage of Hurricane Melissa. Photo: Facebook

The BDF's Field Medical Hospital is one of only three Army Field Medical Hospitals in the world. Barbados GIS

Environmental Health Officer Frandy Felix joined the Barbados Defense Force (BDF) in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica, as part of a team put together by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). 

CARPHA is coordinating regional support for the Barbados Defense Force (BDF) and Emergency Medical Team (EMT) following the impact of Hurricane Melissa on 28 October 2025, the Environmental Health Division said in a statement on November 27, 2025. 

Mr Felix joined the BDF team as it mobilised a Type 2 Field Medical Hospital at Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, to help restore urgently needed health services where hospital and primary care infrastructure had been severely affected.

Felix has the necessary training

According to Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms Henrietta Alexander, Felix trained earlier this year in field medical hospital operations.

“He will support key environmental health functions as part of the multidisciplinary team responsible for clinical care, engineering support, water and sanitation, logistics and site coordination,” she said.

Permanent Secretary, Ms Tasha K. Bertie, said Environmental Health is critical after a disaster. 

“Officer Felix’s expertise will help to safeguard water quality, sanitation and public health as Jamaica recovers. His deployment reflects our Ministry’s commitment to supporting our Caribbean neighbours."

Field Hospital deployed to Jamaica for 1 month

According to the Barbados Government Information Service (GIS), the Field Medical Hospital will be deployed to Jamaica from November 18 to December 18, 2025. 

The mission is being undertaken in close coordination with the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Barbados, the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica, the Jamaica Defence Force, CARPHA, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Department of Emergency Management in Barbados, and several other regional and local organisations.

The BDF's Field Medical Hospital is one of only three Army Field Medical Hospitals in the world.