Doctors Without Borders resumes maternity care at Port-au-Prince hospital

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, has resumed maternity services at Isaïe Jeanty Maternity Hospital in Cité Soleil after suspending operations for nearly three weeks because of gang violence that endangered patients and healthcare workers.

The humanitarian organization announced in a July 29 statement that the hospital has been operating around the clock since July 14, restoring access to obstetric and reproductive healthcare in one of Haiti’s most violence-plagued communities.

“It was not an easy decision at all because we know that many women in Cité Soleil need sexual and reproductive health care,” said Diana Manilla Arroyo, MSF’s head of mission in Haiti. “However, continuing to work under these conditions would have put the lives of our teams and patients at risk.”

The maternity hospital suspended services June 19 after five days of intense clashes between armed groups. During the fighting, bullets struck the facility, forcing MSF to first reduce staffing before eventually evacuating all personnel as security deteriorated.

The hospital plays a critical role in an area where healthcare options are scarce. Between January and June, staff assisted 995 deliveries and treated 122 survivors of sexual violence before services were interrupted, officials said.

Residents recount trauma amid calls for protection of healthcare system

The fighting among rival gangs displaced thousands of residents and left many unable to access medical care.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), about 5,025 people, representing 1,225 households, fled their homes after violence erupted June 13 in neighborhoods including Belekou, Village-Démocratie, Hasco and Wharf Jérémie.

A patient met at an MSF mobile clinic, identified only as Jeanne to protect her privacy and safety, described fleeing her home with her children after armed men entered her neighborhood.

“My neighbors helped me escape,” she said. “My brother wanted to come back to help me, but armed men captured him, locked him inside our house and set it on fire.”

Jeanne said her brother, a motorcycle taxi driver, was killed in the attack.

Many accounts like that of Jeanne illustrate the devastating toll gang violence continues to take on v of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, including Cité Soleil.

Despite the reopening, MSF warned that insecurity continues to limit access to healthcare throughout the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. It is difficult to access health care because of the armed groups, and when you do not have money, residents concurred.

MSF urged all parties to respect international humanitarian principles by protecting healthcare facilities, patients and medical workers.

The organization also provides free medical services at Cité Soleil Hospital, Orezon Health Center in the neighboring Brooklyn community, Tabarre Hospital and the Pran Men’m Clinic in Delmas 33.

Violence continues to strain Haiti’s health system. The reopening comes as Haiti remains gripped by a worsening security crisis.

According to the United Nations, armed groups control more than 85% of Port-au-Prince, and more than 2,300 people have been killed nationwide since the beginning of 2026. Gang violence continues to drive displacement, disrupt public services and block access to healthcare.

The Haitian government and international partners hope the planned deployment of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) will help restore security. The multinational force, expected to reach its full complement of 5,500 personnel by October, recently signed agreements with the Haitian government establishing the legal framework for its operations.

Meanwhile, Haiti continues preparations for long-delayed national elections, with voter registration underway in nine departments and the first round of presidential and legislative voting scheduled for Dec. 13. Haitian authorities and international partners, including the Organization of American States (OAS) and Caribbean Community (CARICOM), have emphasized that meaningful improvements in security remain essential to conducting credible elections.

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