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When Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica and parts of the Caribbean, it left behind widespread disruption—damaged homes, flooded communities, power outages, and severely limited access to healthcare services. Many families found themselves cut off from clinics and hospitals due to road blockages, telecommunications breakdowns, and infrastructure damage. Chronic patients struggled to access their medications, parents worried about children falling sick in unsanitary conditions, and individuals with injuries or acute symptoms had nowhere to turn as local medical facilities became overwhelmed or inaccessible.

Recognising the growing health crisis on the ground, EGS Health, in collaboration with Kare Konec, immediately mobilised a coordinated medical response to ensure that residents in affected regions could receive timely care. Within hours of assessing the situation, both organisations activated their digital infrastructure to launch a Free Medical Consultation Program through the Medicas platform, offering critical support during the emergency.

The initiative was built on two pillars:

1. Providing immediate access to qualified doctors, despite physical barriers
2. Ensuring continuity of care, especially for vulnerable groups such as elderly patients, children, and individuals with chronic conditions

EGS Health leveraged its expansive network of clinicians—including family physicians, paediatricians, internal medicine specialists, and global consultants—who volunteered time to offer online consultations. Kare Konec simultaneously coordinated patient outreach across affected communities, ensuring that individuals knew help was available and guiding them on how to access the services digitally.

Through Medicas, patients received:

• Online consultations with licensed doctors
• Guidance for acute symptoms like fever, infections, skin issues, diarrhoea, and respiratory problems
• Triage support to determine whether hospital visits were necessary
• Medication guidance and refill support
• Mental health check-ins for anxiety and distress following the disaster
• Advice on wound care, water-borne disease prevention, and safe hygiene practices
  
  

The platform allowed patients to connect through low-bandwidth video, audio, or chat—ensuring care delivery even in areas with unstable internet access. For individuals unable to register online, Kare Konec’s on-ground volunteers facilitated remote booking and assisted families in connecting with doctors through mobile devices.

Doctors across the Caribbean, India, and the United States united to support the effort, demonstrating the power of cross-border healthcare collaboration. Many stayed available beyond scheduled hours to manage the patient influx, reflecting a shared humanitarian commitment during a time of crisis.

The initiative not only provided immediate medical relief but also helped reduce the burden on emergency rooms and local clinics, allowing them to prioritise the most critical cases. It also offered reassurance to communities in distress, giving them direct access to trained medical professionals when they needed it most.

This collaborative response by EGS Health and Kare Konec highlights the role of digital healthcare platforms in disaster relief—bridging gaps, delivering timely care, and supporting communities when conventional healthcare systems are disrupted. The program continues to support patients as recovery efforts progress across Jamaica.