The Caribbean’s medical response to hurricanes, floods and other crises is set to get a major boost with the launch of a regional disaster medicine centre here, aimed at strengthening health systems and training frontline responders, university officials said Wednesday.
The Emergency and Disaster Medicine Centre (CEDMed) of the Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), is a regional hub dedicated to strengthening medical preparedness and resilience in the face of natural disasters and other crises.
Senior Associate Dean of External Affairs Dr Rhonda McIntyre told the launch at the university’s Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre campus that CEDMed was born out of a clear and urgent need to address medical deficits when natural disasters strike the region.
“Resilience must be built into every layer of our societies, our infrastructure, our institutions, and our people,” she said. “Even in the face of disaster, we have seen a level of unity and cooperation unmatched at other times in our history. It is the spirit of resilience, solidarity, and hope that defines us and fuels the launch of the Ross University School of Medicine, Caribbean Emergency and Disaster Medicine Centre (CEDMed) – a new hub for building capacity across the region.”
Between 2000 and 2023, the Caribbean endured 793 climate events, according to the Central Bank of Barbados’ 2023 Financial Stability Report. Tropical storms made up just over half, and floods accounted for 32 per cent. Dr McIntyre pointed to staggering costs – more than US$181bn ($362bn) in storm-related losses.
“Here in Barbados, 14 recorded events over that period caused nearly US$300m [$600m],” she said, noting that disasters such as hurricanes exacerbate diseases, create lasting mental health challenges, and repeatedly stall regional development.
Senior Associate Dean of External Affairs at RUSM, Dr Rhonda McIntyre. (SB)
Reflecting on Hurricanes Maria and Irma, as well as the strain the COVID-19 pandemic placed on health systems, Dr McIntyre stressed that “institutional preparedness, trained responders, and community resilience are critical”.
While acknowledging that existing frameworks are in place, she said CEDMed offered something “transformative; a commitment to help build knowledge, train hands, and equip healthcare and emergency workers with the skills and strategies our region can rely on when disaster strikes”.
Through specialised training such as emergency cardiovascular care courses, expert partnerships, and disaster medicine programmes, CEDMed aims to fortify regional health systems and improve outcomes during crises, she said.
“The RUSM CEDMed Centre is more than a hub, it’s a beacon of a safer, stronger, and more sustainable Caribbean,” Dr McIntyre declared.
The first phase of the project will focus on establishing the centre and refining training programmes geared towards disaster response. Phase two will expand its offerings, and phase three will deepen partnerships with stakeholders. The centre’s objectives include developing a highly skilled workforce, providing regular refresher training, producing impactful research to guide policy, and building strong community engagement.
“Our vision is a resilient Caribbean health sector ready to meet the demands of emergencies and future disasters. Our mission is to build regional strength through advanced education, hands-on skills development, and pioneering research,” Dr McIntyre said. (SB)
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