Haiti's Hôpital Sacré Coeur Faces Diabetic Emergencies Amid Insulin Shortage

Hôpital Sacré Coeur in northern Haiti faces a critical insulin shortage, exacerbated by ongoing political instability and violence that have disrupted medical supply chains. Many children arrive at the hospital in diabetic comas, either newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes or having run out of necessary insulin. The dire situation is compounded by the inability of families to afford insulin, leading to tragic outcomes for young patients. The hospital has never completely run out of insulin, but healthcare providers are forced to search extensively for supplies, often purchasing insulin when necessary. Direct Relief has initiated new pathways for insulin donations, successfully delivering shipments to the hospital in recent months. These efforts are crucial as the need for insulin is urgent, with many patients suffering from the lack of available medication. In July, a test shipment of insulin was flown from Miami to Cap-Haitien, marking a significant step in addressing the crisis. Direct Relief is also working on a third test delivery of cold-chain medicines, aiming to establish regular shipments of insulin to Haiti. This initiative is vital for the thousands of Haitians with diabetes who rely on consistent access to medication. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, including bureaucratic hurdles and the need for reliable shipping routes. The situation highlights the broader issues of healthcare access in Haiti, where the poorest population in the Western Hemisphere struggles with both medical and economic hardships.