Haiti’s health system at risk of collapse due to Covid-19 increase

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Haiti’s health system is at risk of collapsing in the face of rising Covid-19 cases that are keeping hospitals in the impoverished Caribbean nation overwhelmed, authorities warned Tuesday.

“If the situation continues like this, no matter what we do, the health system will break down,” said Lauré Adrien, head of Haiti’s Health Ministry, who said hospitals are receiving serious Covid-19 patients in recent days.

Haiti has confirmed 14,711 cases of coronavirus and 319 deaths, according to updated data as of May 27, which indicates that 2,258 people are hospitalized.

“Our health system as a whole does not have the capacity, does not have the strength to be able to withstand a pandemic like the one that is happening now, with so many patients who will need care,” Adrien said in an interview with RTVC broadcaster.

A note published by St. Luke’s Hospital reports that the acute respiratory infection treatment unit receiving Covid-19 cases “is currently saturated,” so those affected are asked to go to other centers.

“The new coronavirus is doing damage in Haiti. Covid-19 is a reality,” said the Ministry of Health.

The country’s president, Jovenel Moise, will announce Tuesday new measures to fight the pandemic, the same day that ends the new state of emergency declared for eight days to try to stop the contagions, which have led the Ministry of Education to ban activities for the end of the school year.

During these days of state of emergency, however, the authorities have been more concerned with encouraging the population to participate in the referendum of June 27. Moise wants to approve a new Constitution, which does not support the opposition of the international community.