On January 3, 2025, William O’Neill, the UN-appointed independent human rights expert in Haiti, expressed grave concern over the unprecedented attacks on health care facilities and workers by gangs. These incidents, particularly the attack on Bernard Mevs Hospital and the violent events at the General Hospital, have severely compromised an already fragile health system, teetering on collapse amid ongoing violence and lawlessness.
O’Neill stated that criminal gangs have not only targeted hospitals but have also resorted to assassinating and kidnapping medical professionals including doctors and nurses, forcing many health facilities to shut down or suspend operations entirely. With only 37% of health services in Port-au-Prince functioning properly, residents face increasing barriers to accessing essential medical care due to rampant insecurity.
The expert highlighted a systemic assault on health care access, noting the calculated nature of these attacks rather than random acts of violence, with police sometimes implicated. The consequences are dire: pestilence spreads amongst the population, with children heavily impacted by the deteriorating health services amid the rise of diseases like cholera and tuberculosis.
O’Neill called for urgent international assistance to help Haitian authorities combat the rampant violence crippling the health care system. He emphasized the necessity for accountability, urging investigations and arrests of those responsible for these egregious attacks, ensuring the rights to health and safety for all citizens, particularly in vulnerable situations.
William O’Neill, the UN advisor on human rights in Haiti, is alarmed by violent gang attacks on health facilities, including the Bernard Mevs Hospital, which have paralyzed the health care system. With only 37% of services functioning in Port-au-Prince, O’Neill warns of dire consequences for public health, urging the international community to assist in restoring safety and accountability.
The situation in Haiti’s health sector is alarming, with ongoing attacks by gangs leading to widespread closures of health facilities and increasing insecurity for health workers. William O’Neill’s call for international cooperation underscores the urgent need for action to restore safety and access to essential medical services. Without immediate intervention, the health rights of the Haitian populace, especially vulnerable children, continue to face grim prospects in this landscape of violence and neglect.
The health care landscape in Haiti has faced severe challenges for years, primarily due to chronic instability and violence from powerful criminal gangs. The situation escalated recently, with the health sector being specifically targeted, leading to significant casualties among medical personnel and the closure of numerous facilities. Amidst this turmoil, voices like William O’Neill highlight the urgent need for international intervention and systemic reform to safeguard health care access and reinforce the rights of the Haitian people.
Original Source: www.haitilibre.com
