Haitian Health Minister Duckenson Lorthe has been removed from his position following a devastating gang attack at the General Hospital, the largest public healthcare facility located in the capital, Port-au-Prince. The announcement of his dismissal was made by government officials on Thursday, who spoke under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.
Justice Minister Patrick Pelissier has been appointed as the interim health minister until a successor is appointed. The decision to remove Lorthe came after multiple violent incidents occurred at the hospital during what was meant to be its reopening, drawing intense scrutiny from both national and international observers.
On Tuesday, cowing gang members stormed the hospital, indiscriminately firing weapons at journalists present to cover the event. Tragically, two journalists and one police officer lost their lives during the assault. Seven other journalists sustained injuries, making the incident one of the most horrific attacks on media professionals in recent Haitian history.
Jean Feguens Regala, one of the photographers present during the attack, recounted the chaos, stating, "The fact the minister of health invited us, you feel preparations had been made already. When we made contact with a police unit, they told us they were not aware of the event." Lorthe’s absence from the event has raised questions, particularly since there was little security present, leading to fears about the government's ability to safeguard not only its citizens but also the integrity of the media.
The public outcry was amplified by the emergence of gang leader Johnson “Izo” André, who claimed responsibility for the attack through a video shared on social media. André, considered the most powerful gang leader in Haiti, stated the gang coalition had not authorized the reopening of the hospital, highlighting the precarious security situation facing the nation.
The escalation of gang violence has significantly increased since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse during a coup attempt back in 2021. Currently, gangs are estimated to control around 85% of Port-au-Prince, conducting coordinated attacks on various public institutions, including police stations and prisons, as well as staging assaults on the main international airport.
Haiti finds itself entwined in a severe crisis, primarily due to the absence of effective governance and public safety. The country is currently ruled by a transitional council, which consists of representatives from various political parties, business groups, and civil society organizations, as the nation struggles to organize democratic elections.
This alarming situation concerning safety and governance is not new but has been exacerbated by the collapse of formal structures and institutions post-coups, leaving many citizens feeling hopeless.
Despite the chaos, the recent gang attack marks only the latest chapter of violence affecting the Caribbean nation. The fact Lorthe's firing followed such tragedy signals both political accountability and potential instability within the transitional government as they seek to address rampant gang violence and citizen insecurity.
Families of the victims from Tuesday’s attack, alongside press freedom advocates, have called for accountability and investigations. The lack of official oversight and security protocol led to this attack, illustrating holes in government preparedness to handle such volatile situations.
The actions taken by the government following the attack will be closely monitored by the public and the international community alike. With the specter of political instability hanging over Haiti like a dark cloud, the path forward is fraught with challenges.
For now, Pelissier's role as interim health minister will be under the microscope, as citizens and global observers watch to see if he can help stabilize the health sector—or if he too will fall victim to the unprecedented violence plaguing Haiti.
