Port-au-Prince's last public hospital overwhelmed with patients

The waiting and consultation rooms, as well as the institution’s beds, are full, according to AyiboPost during a visit on August 28

The only public hospital still in operation in Port-au-Prince is « overwhelmed » by the influx of patients, according to Dr. Paul Junior Fontilus, the hospital’s executive director.

The outpatient clinic at the Peace University Hospital (Hôpital Universitaire de la Paix) sees up to 375 patients a day, and the emergency department treats about 80 patients a day, reports Dr. Fontilus.

According to the manager’s estimates, this is an increase from 60% to nearly 90% for the outpatient clinic, and nearly 100% for the emergency department.

The waiting and consultation rooms, as well as the institution’s beds, are full, based on observations by AyiboPost during a visit on August 28.

In some cases, La Paix’s saturated services can no longer receive patients, in a context where the State University Hospital of Haiti (HUEH), the largest hospital in the country, has been shuttered due to insecurity since February.

The outpatient clinic at the Peace University Hospital sees up to 375 patients a day, and the emergency department treats about 80 patients a day.

– Dr. Paul Junior Fontilus

Kenyan police in Haiti to help restore security speak of « significant progress » two months after their arrival.

But only 20% of hospitals in Port-au-Prince are functioning normally, according to an NGO.

This situation increases the pressure on the Peace Hospital, an institution where 30% of the staff has left the country, according to the official.

Most staff members are working night and day to maintain services.

Katia Duverne, head nurse of the surgery department, complains about the « lack of manpower » in relation to the number of hospitalized patients under her care.

« I only have four nurses for 24 beds, and this is applies for day and night shifts, » she reveals to AyiboPost.

Just one nurse takes care of 12 patients per room, says the medical professional. A laboratory technician met on site informed AyiboPost that the number of samples taken per day is very high. « Patients are often very frustrated with the slow pace of service, but there’s nothing we can do about it, » he says.

This situation increases the pressure on the Peace Hospital, an institution where 30% of the staff has left the country.

AyiboPost counted about 15 mobile pharmacies around the Peace Hospital. Most of these institutions were previously stationed on the outskirts of the HUEH.

Vendors like Ruben Orevil dispose of the medicines inside private vehicles or vans.

This man, formerly the owner of « Ryan Pharma, » lost everything during attacks by armed gangs on Monseigneur Guilloux Street.

The crisis at La Paix is taking place in a country ravaged by armed gangs. More than half a million citizens have fled armed violence. Thousands live in tents in a context where half of the country does not have enough to eat. The country is in need $674 million in humanitarian assistance this year, but only 33% of this amount is available.

At the same time, the number of injured and sick continues to rise. The reopening of the General Hospital and other private health facilities « remains essential, » said the Peace University Hospital director, Dr. Fontilus.

By Lucnise Duquereste

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