Calay News
Located in an impoverished neighborhood of the Haitian capital, this health center, which has been operating for more than three decades, provides a rare relief to the residents of this area, which is characterized by the dominant presence of armed gangs, which represent 80% of the population. environment, according to its founder, Jose Ulysse.
Medical staff attend to babies and young children who are brought by their mothers, referred by organizations, or even by priests, as the director points out. Each day, approximately 120–160 children come in for vaccinations, at which time tests are conducted, particularly for malnutrition. The increase in cases of malnutrition is worrying. While a few years ago the center cared for about ten children a day who required nutritional help, now that figure has risen to between 40 and 50.
In less severe cases, children return home after examinations and nutritional support is provided to their families, while critical cases are hospitalized. Children arriving severely malnourished often present with symptoms such as protruding ribs, abdominal swelling, and rickets, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Due to the increase in cases, the center has expanded its bed capacity from 20–25 to about 60. Most of the children remain in the center with their mothers for weeks until their weight stabilizes, while the women also suffer from malnutrition to a great extent.
The violence generated by armed gangs has contributed to a 30% increase in cases of severe acute malnutrition among children in the last year, according to Unicef data. Furthermore, almost one in four children is currently chronically malnourished, and around 115,600 are forecast to suffer from the most severe form of malnutrition this year. The political crisis and chronic insecurity in Haiti, along with the resurgence of cholera, have exacerbated these problems.
Violence has a profound impact on the lives of the Haitian population, affecting accessibility to health care, the economy, commerce, and other key aspects. The founder of the health center stresses that violence is present in all spheres of society, which underlines the complexity of the current situation in Haiti.
