The Barbados Defence Force’s Field Medical Team (BDF FMT) has received glowing praises from officials and members of the public who toured the field hospital at the National Stadium, Waterford, St. Michael, between August 29 and 30.
And, more Barbadians have heeded the call and come forward to join the field medical team to assist others during a disaster.
Comments shared ranged from: “this is excellent”; “this is tremendous work that was done”; “this facility will help a number of people”; “it is great that Barbados has something like this to help others”, to “I was impressed when I saw it”.
Among those visiting the facility was Chief Justice Sir Patterson Cheltenham. He said: “I like what I see so far. Obviously, some very detailed and careful planning has gone into the design. It was very thoughtfully done. It recognises that in a calamity you can’t get it right and you have to do the next best…. Warm congratulations for the effort, the attitude, the enthusiasm. It bodes well for the disaster which I hope does not ever come…. I like what I see.”
The BDF FMT threw open its doors and welcomed the public to view its set up and operations. Persons also used the opportunity to sign up as volunteers to join the team.
This was described by Medical Liaison Officer with the BDF, Major David Clarke, as a critical component of the facility’s success. “Almost all of the people are volunteers.
So, in terms of staffing the hospital, it is made up of full-time members of the BDF…, then there are reserve officers of the BDF and then civilian volunteers,” he said.
Major Clarke explained that new volunteers would be required to undergo a six-month training course which will include a PAHO Mass Casualty Management course and Basic Life Support. He added that the volunteers would also be required to supply a copy of their qualifications to the BDF as that information would have to be forwarded to the Ministry of Health in the host country.
He reiterated that with the effects of climate change, and the increasing intensity of disasters such as hurricanes, it was important for people to realise the need to develop and help each other.
“In this region, we are the only qualified WHO Emergency Medical Team,” he stated.
He noted that there were a number of areas within the BDF where people could come and sign up as there was a Volunteer Conduct Policy which they would be required to follow to ensure there was order and structure.
At the same time, the BDF’s Medical Liaison Officer thanked the donors and supporters of the facility who contributed to its development, following its establishment in 2018.
“Everything in this site was donated. The Barbados Government has not paid for anything, nor has the Barbados Defence Force used its small budget to pay. We have had generous support from lots of agencies, from international military organisations, private local foundations and trusts. We had a lot of support from corporate Barbados and international agencies,” he said, noting in excess of $5 million was donated to the facility.
During the tours, the BDF FMT welcomed a number of visitors, Government officials, international and national donor agencies.
Those passing through included Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. The Most Honourable Senator Jerome Walcott; Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Sonia Browne; Chief Medical Officer, Dr. The Most Honourable Kenneth George; Director of Medical Services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Anthony Harris; Chief of Staff of the BDF, Commodore Errington Shurland; Military Advisor to the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel, Carlos Lovell; and Staff Advisor to the Chief of Staff, Commander Mark Peterson;
The campsite was also visited by Director of the Department of Emergency Management, Kerry Hinds; Deputy Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, Kester Craig and his team; members of the Regional Security System; representatives from the Pan American Health Organization, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention as well as international and local donor agencies which assisted the BDF FMT over the years.