Camella Main: A Midwife’s Mission in Jamaica

Deployment After Disaster

Camella Main, a dedicated midwife from the London Ambulance Service, recently returned from a life-changing six-week humanitarian mission in Jamaica. She was part of the UK Emergency Medical Team (UK EMT), a group that rushed to provide essential medical care after Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc on the island. This storm was the strongest to hit Jamaica in years, leaving many communities in dire need of help.

Life-Saving Challenges

During her time in Jamaica, Camella faced challenges that tested her skills and resilience. One particularly intense moment involved a 30-week pregnant woman who unexpectedly gave birth in a car park at a mobile clinic. “The baby was gasping but then stopped breathing,” Camella recalled. With limited equipment and no ambulance in sight, she and her team improvised, managing to get both mother and baby to the hospital. Miraculously, they both survived. “It was a race against time,” she added, highlighting the urgency of their work.

Conditions on the Ground

The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa was devastating. Many hospitals and clinics were destroyed, electricity was unreliable, and clean drinking water was hard to find. Camella shared her thoughts on the situation: “It was such an honour to be asked to help. Pregnant women are the most vulnerable in a disaster.” The stark reality of the conditions made her mission even more critical.

Mobile Clinics and Community Support

To reach those in need, Camella set up temporary mobile clinics under gazebos, using a sun lounger as an improvised examination bed. Each day, she and her team saw over 20 women and babies. The local midwives, who were also juggling patient care with salvaging belongings from their destroyed homes, faced immense struggles. “The community was fighting to meet their basic needs,” Camella noted, emphasizing the resilience of the Jamaican people.

Midwifery in Emergency Care

Camella’s experience with the London Ambulance Service proved invaluable during this demanding mission. “We saw extreme situations in Jamaica, and my background in emergency care was essential,” she explained. Her training allowed her to adapt quickly to the challenges, ensuring that mothers and newborns received the care they desperately needed.

Restoring Essential Maternity Care

The UK EMT was deployed across Jamaica to assist overwhelmed health services, focusing on restoring vital maternity care in the hardest-hit areas. Camella and her team worked tirelessly to ensure that every woman received the attention she deserved, even amidst chaos.

A Humbling Experience

Reflecting on her time in Jamaica, Camella said, “It was tough at times but deeply humbling. I was with a great team, and I will never forget the gratitude of the Jamaican people.” She emphasized that midwifery is about ensuring safe and empowering childbirth, even in challenging circumstances. Despite the devastation, Camella witnessed moments of hope as new lives were brought into the world, serving as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

As she returned home, Camella carried with her not just stories of struggle, but also tales of triumph and hope. How can we continue to support those who face such challenges, and what can we learn from their resilience?