The Ministry of Health and Wellness has implemented a maternal outreach programme targeted at pregnant and new mothers, particularly in parishes impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

State Minister Krystal Lee tells JIS News that expectant and new mothers are among the most vulnerable groups during and in the aftermath of a hurricane, and the programme aims to ensure that they are not left behind and are receiving the care and support they need.

It involves health workers going into the communities to connect with mothers and babies, ensuring that they are safe and getting their regular health checks.

“We are here to support them, to remind them of the importance of routine checkups, and to ensure they have access to the resources they need,” Lee says.

“From the moment a woman becomes pregnant, she should be supported with timely information, care, and companionship. 

“This outreach is about listening to mothers, addressing their needs, and ensuring that health services remain accessible and responsive. Our mothers deserve nothing less, and our babies deserve every chance to be healthy as Jamaica rebuilds,” Lee says.

The outreach programme has already been rolled out in Black River, St Elizabeth, and Savanna-la-Mar and Grange Hill in Westmoreland.

It will soon be implemented in St James, Hanover, and St Ann, with plans to expand islandwide.

Lee tells JIS News that the programme provides a reliable touchpoint for regular checks, education on childbirth and postnatal care, and guidance on newborn care.

Mothers are encouraged to secure a maternity or maternal health book and adhere to appointment dates, as waiting until the third trimester can complicate care and increase risks for both mother and baby.

“In addition to medical monitoring, the programme provides essential nutrition education and tangible support such as maternal packages that include hygiene items, mosquito nets, sanitisers, and cleaning supplies,” Lee points out.

She says that the maternal health outreach is not just about clinical visits, it is about building a network of trust, routine, and resilience so that mothers can focus on the well-being of their babies.

No mother should navigate the post-disaster period alone, and regular care can mean healthier babies and calmer, healthier families, she says.

Lee tells JIS News that the outreach also includes conversations about mental well-being and connecting mothers with psychosocial support. The goal, she adds, is to normalise seeking help and reduce the stigma around mental health, especially for expectant and new mothers.

“I want our mothers and lactating women to know that it’s okay to talk to someone about the stress they’re under,” Lee tells JIS News.

The initiative also acknowledges that health systems must adapt to post-disaster realities.

With several health facilities in western Jamaica suffering extensive damage during Hurricane Melissa, the Ministry moved swiftly to ensure that patients were able to access regular health services, including maternity and postnatal care.

In Black River, for instance, field clinics were established and where necessary, deliveries and higher-level care are being coordinated with regional hospitals such as Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester.