A team of nine medical volunteers from the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) left the island on Tuesday, 12 September to join the disaster relief efforts to help the thousands of people in Anguilla whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Irma and the flooding left in its wake.

The HSA team includes a general practice physician, an emergency room physician, two emergency room nurses, two operating room nurses, a critical care unit nurse, a chemotherapy nurse and a paramedic.

The HSA medical team is supported by other teams from the Cayman Islands travelling to Anguilla to provide medical care and public health support at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

“The HSA stands ready to assist as best as we can our fellow Caribbean citizens who continue to face the aftermath of this catastrophic storm. As healthcare professionals, it is in our nature to want to help those most vulnerable,” said HSA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lizzette Yearwood. The HSA have taken every precaution to ensure that the staff are protected from illnesses and will be in a safe environment. Each member has been vaccinated according to standards for travel to the area.

“Our volunteers will also give respite to the staff of the Princess Alexandra Hospital so they may be able to go home and look after their houses and families,” Ms Yearwood added.
The relief team is expected to return home in two weeks.