Dozens of Haitian medical students marched peacefully from their university to nearby the prime minister’s office in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, where they were stopped by riot police.
News
They are demanding the government relocate and reopen one of the country’s largest public hospitals which plays a vital role in clinical training for young doctors.
The State University Hospital in the city centre has been closed since 2024 following a gang attack.
Medical student, Benjamin Marc Antelhomme, said it was the third time they were taking to the streets to call on the government to relocate the teaching hospital.
Details
“As students, we rely on it for our clinical rotations. All other institutions that were located in the lower part of the city have already been relocated,” he said.
Fellow medical student, Rachel Louis, said they should not have to be out in the streets demanding the relocation of the institution.
“We should be at the hospital caring for patients. It is outrageous that, when we ask for a hospital, they send people to shoot at us,” she said.
Analysis
Local media has reported that a student was shot in the arm by police during Wednesday’s protest, after they were tear-gassed in an earlier protest.
“We are not armed!” the students yelled at the officer as they attacked his vehicle with rocks, breaking several windows.
The hospital has not been able to operate due to ongoing attacks in the surrounding area which is under the control of armed groups.
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