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Port-au-Prince, Haiti — Armed groups set fire to the Bernard Mevs Hospital, one of Haiti’s leading medical facilities, late Monday night, marking a new escalation in the country’s worsening security crisis. The attack, confirmed by local media and hospital officials, has left the facility in ruins and dealt a severe blow to an already fragile healthcare system.
The attackers, reportedly members of the gang coalition known as “Viv Ansanm,” used Molotov cocktails to torch the facility. The fire destroyed four operating rooms, a laboratory, two advanced imaging scanners, and the hospital’s administrative offices. No patients or staff were harmed, as the hospital had been evacuated following prior threats.
“This is devastating,” a source close to the hospital told Le Nouvelliste. “Over 30 years of work and dedication to the medical sector, gone. This hospital wasn’t just a healthcare center; it trained future doctors from across the country.”
Bernard Mevs Hospital was a key institution in Haiti. Known for its advanced imaging technology and accessible healthcare, it served as a rare private facility offering public access. It also played a vital role in medical education, training students from various universities. Its destruction further deepens the crisis in a country where hospitals are already overwhelmed, underfunded, and vulnerable to gang violence.
Health experts warn that the attack will severely impact Port-au-Prince’s ability to provide essential medical services. The loss of Bernard Mevs intensifies an already dire healthcare situation, with the United Nations earlier this year warning that Haiti’s health system is “on the brink of collapse.”
The destruction of Bernard Mevs Hospital highlights the growing influence of armed gangs in and around Port-au-Prince. These groups have been accused of a range of violent crimes, including kidnappings, sexual violence, and mass killings. Their activities have paralyzed much of the city, disrupting daily life and essential services.
The hospital’s location near the main road to Toussaint Louverture International Airport adds to the growing instability in the area, further restricting mobility and access to critical infrastructure.
Haiti’s government, grappling with political infighting and lacking sufficient resources, has struggled to contain the gang violence. The assault on Bernard Mevs comes just weeks after Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) temporarily suspended operations in Port-au-Prince due to similar security concerns.
In a statement, hospital representatives expressed grief over the destruction and urged authorities to take swift action to restore order and protect essential services. The international community has also been urged to step in, with many humanitarian groups warning that Haiti’s crisis is spiraling out of control.
As the country reels from yet another blow, the question of how to safeguard critical institutions like hospitals remains unanswered, leaving many Haitians in fear of what lies ahead.
