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A Rapid Assessment is crucial to assist the health ministry in the implementation of urgent life-
saving interventions, said Dr. Ciro Ugarte, director of PAHO’s Health Emergencies Department.

Hurricane Dorian struck the Abaco islands most severely, and significant damage to health
infrastructure is likely, although communications are currently cut, and the island cannot be

reached.

Some 400 persons sought shelter at the clinic in Marsh Harbour on Abaco, and initial reports of
deaths and injuries have not yet been confirmed. In Grand Bahama, Dorian stalled over the

island with intense rainfall, 165 mph winds and 15-20 feet of storm surges. Reports indicate
people are stranded in flooded buildings.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) informed that at least 20 critical patients were evacuated from
Abaco to the Princess Margaret Hospital by the Royal Bahamas Defense Forces.

Health personnel from New Providence and other unaffected Family Islands are on stand-by to
be deployed to Abaco and Grand Bahamas to replace exhausted health care professionals. The
MoH is determining what additional medical teams need to be deployed to the affected islands
and will decide on deployments according to the needs on the affected islands.

On Grand Bahama Island, Rand Memorial Hospital has 70 nurses, 3 emergency physicians and
senior health officers on standby for medical needs on other islands, and the Ministry of Health
is setting up a rotating system for physicians and nurses to provide support to Marsh Harbour
Clinic, once Abaco is deemed safe.

Extensive flooding in both affected islands, damage to the Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport,
Grand Bahama, displacement of persons as a result of property damage or loss and
psychological trauma of the population could bring additional public health challenges.

PAHO’s country office in the Bahamas is also working closely with the National Emergency
Management Agency of The Bahamas. Experts are assessing what medical supplies will be
needed, after an evaluation of the country’s health facilities and their operational status.

Other countries and organizations in the Caribbean and elsewhere have offered to send
emergency medical teams, Dr. Ugarte said, but an assessment of needs must be completed

first.