Haiti’s hospitals cease full operations due to insecurity, lack of utilities - UN

Most of Haiti's hospitals and health centres ceased full operations over the weekend following the uprising which led to the resignation of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and many medical emergencies have not been dealt with, according to United Nations health officials in the Caribbean nation.

“The situation in Port-au-Prince is serious because of the interruption of basic services, some of which were facing difficulties even before this crisis,” said Jean-Luc Poncelet, head of Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief for the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). There are eight hospitals in the Port-au-Prince area alone, but none of them has been able to take care of patients.

PAHO officials appealed to all parties to respect the neutrality of hospitals and medical centres.

“We must first, and urgently, resume and strengthen the services that already existed," Dr. Poncelet stressed. There are numerous agencies and personnel in the country ready to resume their work as soon as the security situation improves.”

The situation has been exacerbated by a lack of electricity and water triggered by fuel shortages and a suspension of shipments of medical supplies, including surgical kits, essential drugs and vaccines, due to looting at the port and airport in Port-au-Prince, the capital.

Among the most critical needs are fuel to operate generators and power stations for the supply of water to health centres and hospitals. PAHO officials also noted a critical need for propane gas to keep vaccines in refrigeration.

PAHO, the world's oldest public health organization, was established in 1902 and serves as the regional office for the UN World Health Organization (WHO). Officials said their work was being carried out in an atmosphere of tension and fear with most people staying in their homes and off the streets.

PAHO has set up an emergency centre at its Washington, D.C. headquarters, to coordinate the work of its 12 officials on the ground in Haiti.