Haiti | Largest Hospital wrested From Gang Control

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti July 12, 2024 -  Haiti's newly selected Prime Minister Garry Conille and Haiti's police chief visited the country's largest hospital on Tuesday, celebrating a significant victory as authorities successfully reclaimed control of the medical institution from armed gangs over the weekend.

Haitian Police Chief Normil Rameau announced at a news conference on Monday that police forces had successfully regained control of the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, commonly known as the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince, on Sunday night. This operation marked the end of months of escalating attacks and occupation by armed groups.

"We promised action, and we delivered," Normil declared at the briefing. "This is just the beginning. Haitians will wake up one morning and find the operation done, the bandits stopped, and neutralized." While he didn't take questions from the media, his confidence was palpable. Kenyan officer Godfrey Otunge, representing the U.N.-backed contingent of Kenyan police, affirmed their commitment to work closely with Haitian authorities and partners in rebuilding efforts.

The aftermath of the gang occupation was evident in the hospital's condition. The once pristine green and white-colored building now stood ravaged, with stripped beds, debris-strewn floors, and bullet-riddled walls testifying to the intense struggles that had taken place.

Prime Minister Conille, visibly moved by the scene, described the building as looking like "a war zone." Despite the devastation, there was a sense of hope and determination among the officials present.

Council member Louis Gérald Gilles announced an ambitious plan to have the hospital fully operational by February 2026. Conille emphasized the critical role of the hospital, which previously served about 1,500 people daily before the gang takeover. "This hospital is not for the rich, it's for the poor," Conille stated. "These are people that need serious help that can't go see a private doctor."

The reclamation of the General Hospital represents a significant step in the government's efforts to restore order and essential services in Haiti. It comes amid ongoing challenges, including widespread gang control in the capital, attacks on other key institutions, and a healthcare system pushed to the brink of collapse.

While the road to recovery remains long, with issues such as displaced populations and the threat of disease outbreaks still looming, the successful operation to retake the hospital has injected a much-needed dose of optimism into Haiti's struggle against gang violence and instability.

Photo Caption: Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille, center, and Police Chief Normil Rameau, center left, are surrounded by security as they arrive to the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Authorities announced that police took control of the medical institution over the weekend from armed gangs. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

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