University Hospital of Mirebalais Closes Amid Escalating Gang Violence in Haiti

The University Hospital of Mirebalais, a state-of-the-art facility and vital component of Haiti's healthcare system, has closed indefinitely due to escalating gang violence in the region. The hospital, which provided free care for thousands, including advanced treatments such as dialysis and cancer care, began evacuating patients and staff after armed gangs attacked Mirebalais and overran local institutions. The closure is a significant setback for a health sector already strained by insecurity, aid cuts, and the displacement of tens of thousands. Other hospitals in Haiti are now overwhelmed and under-resourced, as fewer than a quarter of healthcare facilities in the capital remain operational. The shutdown of Mirebalais highlights the urgent need for improved security and international support to prevent further collapse of healthcare services in Haiti. The situation has also led organizations like Medecins Sans Frontieres to suspend services, further reducing access to critical care.