The United Kingdom has deployed an emergency medical team to Jamaica to support health services heavily disrupted by Hurricane Melissa, which devastated western parishes.

A 12-member team of doctors, nurses, midwives and logistics specialists arrived on the island and began operating mobile medical clinics yesterday in Jackson Town, Ulster Spring and Wait-A-Bit in Trelawny.

According to the UK government, the deployment follows an official request from the Government of Jamaica for international medical assistance as communities continue to struggle with damaged health facilities, widespread injuries and increased public health risks. The UK team will provide urgent care for injuries and infections, maternal health services and referrals for patients requiring hospital-level treatment, helping to reinforce Jamaica’s overstretched healthcare system.

Supported by the UK Government and operated through UK-Med, the mission is designed to restore access to essential care in communities where clinics and hospitals have been destroyed or cut off. The team will also work alongside local health staff to stabilise patients and assist the Ministry of Health and Wellness as it restores services across affected parishes.

This medical deployment is part of a broader package of UK humanitarian support delivered since the hurricane made landfall. The UK has provided thousands of shelter kits, hygiene supplies and solar lanterns to assist affected families. The Royal Navy’s HMS Trent was also deployed to Jamaica to help with recovery operations, including emergency repairs at the Falmouth hospital.

British High Commissioner to Jamaica Alicia Herbert OBE said the UK Emergency Medical Team will play a vital role in restoring essential healthcare and supporting the most affected communities. UK Minister for the Caribbean Chris Elmore said the UK is committed to helping Jamaica recover, noting that the medical team will provide vital treatment while local services work under immense pressure. UK-Med CEO David Wightwick CMG added that the surge team aims to keep essential services running and stand in solidarity with Jamaican health workers as the system rebuilds.

The UK is also working with regional and international partners to strengthen disease surveillance, restore water and sanitation systems and improve public health protections to reduce the risk of outbreaks in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.