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Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 14, 2021 (SKNIS): The arrival and subsequent assembling of two 40 bed field hospitals, one for St. Kitts, and the other for Nevis, is strictly a preventative measure as authorities seek to enhance resiliency in the health sector.

At the October 13 COVID-19 Briefing by the National Emergency Operations Centre, Chair of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Abdias Samuel, spoke briefly about the donation of the field hospitals by the United States Government putting the time frame into context.

“No, the field hospital is not that we have the expectation that we are going to have multiple (COVID-19) cases, that we are going to be overrun with cases. It is a mitigative asset, a proactive approach supported by our international cooperation and partnership for us to be ready to respond to the need if it ever arises,” Mr. Samuel stated.

The chairman also addressed the misconception in some quarters that the field hospital for St. Kitts will be based at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium. He noted that Warner Park was specifically chosen for its open spaces by the technical team from the U.S. The technical team trained a number of persons from various local agencies to assemble, operate and disassemble the field hospital.

“This is critical for you to understand. Because of the configuration and the various concepts in which the field hospital shelters can be erected we needed that ample space so that the participants or the technical persons who were trained to assemble and disassemble the 40-bed field hospital would understand the various concepts in which it can be utilized and erected,” said Mr. Samuel.

He made it clear that the “area identified for the erection and operationalization of the (St. Kitts) field hospital will be the J. N. F. premises.”

The field hospital will be strategically placed close to the respiratory ward at the J. N. France General Hospital, where COVID-19 affected patients are accommodated. This allows easy access to any specialized equipment and staff.