Faced with the worsening health situation due to the socio-political and economic crisis in Haiti, which is severely affecting the Haitian healthcare system, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has opened a hospital in Port-au-Prince for patients suffering from injuries traumatic.

The hospital, located in the district of Tabarre, opened since the end of November, offers specialized care for the treatment of patients with life-threatening injuries, such as open fractures and gunshot wounds. During the first five days of activity, 21 patients were admitted to the hospital, about half of them for injuries due to violence.

Recall that MSF first opened a hospital in Tabarre in 2012, to provide emergency care to people with traumatic injuries in a country devastated by the 2010 earthquake. The hospital, "Nap Kenbe" has gradually reduced its services in recent years and admitted its last patient at the end of 2018. While the situation in the country has deteriorated sharply since September 2019, MSF has decided to relaunch this activity to treat patients that the Haitian healthcare system is now struggling to care. Located on the same site in Tabarre, the new hospital currently employs 170 people, including eight surgeons. The capacity of 25 beds, will gradually increase to 50 beds.

In the context prevailing in the country, healthcare facilities, including those managed by MSF, are struggling to provide the necessary services. Since September, the streets are regularly blocked by barricades and it is more difficult for ambulances to move, and for medical facilities to stock up on fuel, oxygen, blood, medicines and other medical equipment.

At the same time, the care structures managed by MSF are facing increased needs. Since the beginning of the year, the MSF Emergency Stabilization Center in the Martissant area of ​​Port-au-Prince has received an average of 230 people each month with gunshot wounds, lacerations or other injuries due to violence.

HL/ HaitiLibre