Jul 10, 2024, 12:46 AM
Jul 9, 2024, 7:14 PM

Haitian Prime Minister and Police Chief Visit Hospital in Port-au-Prince

Highlights
  • Haiti's newly selected Prime Minister Garry Conille and the police chief took control of a hospital from armed gangs.
  • They visited the capital's largest hospital after the authorities restored order over the weekend.
  • The visit aimed to demonstrate government authority and security improvements in the region.
Story

In a recent development in Haiti, Prime Minister Garry Conille and Police Chief Normil Rameau visited the country's largest hospital, the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, in Port-au-Prince. The authorities announced that they had regained control of the medical facility from armed gangs after months of escalating attacks. The police chief assured the public that the bandits had been neutralized, although the hospital bore signs of the violent clashes, with bullet holes and debris scattered throughout the premises. The General Hospital, located near the national palace, had been under siege by criminal groups, severely impacting healthcare services for the population. Before the gang's control, the hospital served around 1,500 patients daily, primarily catering to those who could not afford private healthcare. The ongoing violence in Haiti has strained the already fragile health system, leading to a surge in patients with serious illnesses and a shortage of essential resources for treatment. The situation has been exacerbated by the rainy season, which poses a heightened risk of water-borne diseases due to poor hygiene conditions in camps and settlements. Reports indicate over 84,000 suspected cases of cholera in the country, further burdening the overwhelmed healthcare facilities. The violence in Haiti has also resulted in a significant displacement of nearly 580,000 people since March, adding to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the nation. Despite the challenges faced by the healthcare system, efforts are being made to restore full services at the Hospital of the State University of Haiti by February 2026. The visit by the Prime Minister and police chief signals a commitment to addressing the critical issues affecting public health in Haiti and restoring stability to the healthcare infrastructure amidst the ongoing turmoil in the country.

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