The situation in Haiti’s health system is dire, with life-saving medication and equipment dwindling or completely absent in hospitals and clinics across Port-au-Prince. This crisis is exacerbated by the tightening grip of brutal gangs on the capital and surrounding areas.
These gangs have not only blocked roads but also forced the closure of the main international airport and paralyzed operations at the country’s largest seaport, preventing essential supplies from reaching medical facilities.
As a result, Haiti’s already fragile health system is now on the brink of collapse. Several medical institutions and dialysis centers have been forced to close temporarily, including the largest public hospital in the country.
Despite the challenges, some institutions, like the Peace University Hospital, continue to operate. However, the hospital is overwhelmed with patients, particularly those with gunshot wounds resulting from the ongoing violence.
Even when hospitals are operational, medical staff often cannot reach them due to the daily eruptions of gang violence in Port-au-Prince. This leaves many patients with serious illnesses, such as cancer and HIV/AIDS, without access to necessary medical care.
The situation is further exacerbated by gangs looting and setting fire to pharmacies, leaving essential medications in short supply. Organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are struggling to meet the growing demand for medical care, with shortages of medications for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma.
Despite the challenges, MSF continues to prioritize trauma and gunshot wounds in its emergency hospital in Cite Soleil. This means that patients with conditions like malnutrition may not receive treatment, further compounding the humanitarian crisis.
The story of 51-year-old Jean Marc Baptiste, who was shot by police while collecting wood to sell as kindle in an area controlled by gangs, underscores the grim reality facing many Haitians amidst the escalating violence and crumbling health system.
