The State University of Haiti hospital, commonly called the "general hospital", the main public hospital in the capital, is on fire
By Marie Laurette Numa, Haiti Liberté, Feb. 19, 2025
On Thursday, February 13, 2025, Haiti's State University Hospital (HUEH), commonly referred to as the "General Hospital", was the target of an arson attack. The hospital is located in the capital of Port-au-Prince. The arson was likely planned. Rumors say the arson was the work of gangs.
These days, there is no possibility of incidents like this being properly investigated. Nonetheless, there are always individuals who are willing to provide narratives, absent of evidence, who often share responsibility for the act.
It was on December 24, 2024 when the new Minister of Public Health, Dr. Duckenson Lorthé Bléma, held a re-opening ceremony at the hospital. This followed a similar ceremony at the Isaïe Jeanty Maternity Hospital in Chancerelles.
Journalists, onlookers, and some police officers were attacked during the ceremony. This tragic attack cost the lives of two journalists, Markenzy Nathou and Jimmy Jean, a police officer, Daniel Renaud and several injured.
This act of arson occurred later.
The hospital had been closed since February 2024.
According to rumors, it was the soldiers of the Viv Ansanm gang who prevented this re-opening because the State had not paid in full extortion payments to Izo, the leader of the 5 Seconde gang. But until now, these are only empty words without any evidence.
Haiti is at the mercy of rumors.
Until today no reliable report or police investigation has been undertaken to explain, in detail, what really happened that day. This is evidence that no one is truly leading this country, and no one is responsible for anything. Which amounts to saying that no one is guilty of anything!
There is another version of events that has caused confusion. Some believe that the hidden reasons behind the attack on December 24th are rooted in a struggle between different sectors of the political class to decide who would run the hospital. According to this version, this is what caused the criminal incident.
Following the attack on the State hospital, Minister Lorthé Bléma was dismissed from his job. He was replaced by Dr. Bertrand Sinal, a former member of Fanmi Lavalas.
It is difficult to detect fact from fiction. Very often it is the liars whose version of events prevail. The question that many people ask themselves is: Considering that the hospital has become a target of several attacks, why isn't it guarded 24 hours a day like some bourgeois businesses on the road to the airport? Where the police, using large armored trucks, protect them day and night?
Is it because the hospital is not considered important to the Haitian state? It's services were not adequate. It is surrounded by garbage. It must also be emphasized that the Haitian government has never invested a penny in the State hospital.
The hospital is supposed to serve the population, especially the workers and the poor who do not have the financial means to be treated in bourgeois hospitals. The quality of care is so poor that they can't even provide bandages to patients. Patients must obtain items like bandages themselves before they can be treated.
When in need of medical care, State authorities rarely go to the State hospital. Instead, they are quickly transferred by helicopter to the Dominican Republic, Cuba, or Florida.
This state hospital was long ago abandoned by the government. Instead, it served as a hiding place for certain armed groups whose heavy gunfire could be heard all day long or night.
The hospital's executive director, Dr. Prince Pierre Sonson, said the following about the recent attack: "Even in countries at war, health institutions and doctors are respected. It is with disgust and disappointment that we see the situation in which the country finds itself."
On the same day, February 13, 2025, the Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Bertrand Sinal, installation Doctor Cassandre Milord Michel as the new director of the Family Health Department (DSF).
Posted Feb. 22, 2025