P-au-P, July 02, 2024 [AlterPresse] — The escalation of violence by armed gangs continues to cause a shortage of health care in Haiti, according to health organizations and institutions, according to the Onu info website consulted by the online agency AlterPresse.
The representative of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) of the United Nations (UN), Dr. Oscar Barreneche, reports a paralyzed health system, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
“We face ongoing challenges that require continued support and action to ensure stable and accessible health care for those who need it,” he said.
Nearly 40% of facilities providing beds for care, including the main Hospital of the State University of Haiti (Hueh), closed their doors during the months of May and June 2024 due to insecurity and looting, mainly perpetrated by gangs, according to figures provided by the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP).
Care has been suspended since Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Huehthe largest public hospital in the capital, Port-au-Prince, better known as the general hospital, due to violence by armed gangs.
There are unprecedented levels of lawlessness and brutality in Haiti as gangs continue to expand their areas of influence.
The security crisis is having serious consequences for an already fragile health system and a scarcity of access to health care – as well as to essential social services, hygiene facilities and psychological assistance in Haiti, deplore health organizations and institutions.
In addition, health response capacities, particularly in the capital, remain extremely limited.
This is because health facilities have closed or significantly reduced operations because they lack vital medicines and medical supplies, some of which have been looted.
Only a quarter of health facilities are functioning in Artibonite
Only a quarter of health establishments remain functional in the Artibonite department (North) where gangs maintain their hold, indicates the Onu info website.
There has also been a decrease in the number of available medical personnel, who are often unable to come to work for safety reasons.
About 40% of health care providers have recently left the country “due to extreme levels of insecurity,” according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Thousands of pregnant women in difficulty
Around 3,000 pregnant women face difficulties accessing maternal health services due to the closure of hospitals and health facilities, warns the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
“The neonatal, pediatric and nutritional units that are still functioning are overwhelmed and the few that are still operating in areas controlled by armed groups lack adequate human resources, equipment and medicines to provide essential health and nutrition services.”
The UN says it fears a child health and nutrition crisis could cost countless children their lives.
It is becoming virtually impossible to provide supplies to at least 58,000 children suffering from severe wasting in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area due to insecurity. [emb apr 02/07/2024 12 :10]
Photo: Site Onu info
