Kenyan police officers in Haiti have successfully reclaimed the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, also known as the General Hospital, from armed gangs. The hospital had been under gang control for over four months, severely disrupting healthcare services in the capital, Port-au-Prince. The operation, conducted on Sunday night, marks a significant victory in ongoing efforts to restore order in the city.
Haiti’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Garry Conille, and Haitian Police Chief, Normil Rameau, visited the hospital on Tuesday to underscore the importance of this achievement. The hospital, which once served 1,500 patients daily, had been nearly inoperable due to the gangs’ occupation. Conille emphasized the hospital’s vital role, stating, “This hospital is not for the rich, it’s for the poor. These are people that need serious help that can’t go see a private doctor.”
The scene inside the hospital revealed extensive damage: beds were stripped bare, ceiling fans lay broken, and debris littered the floors. Bullet holes in the walls testified to the fierce battles fought to reclaim the area. The hospital’s proximity to the national palace, a frequent site of clashes, added to the strategic importance of its liberation.
Council member Louis Gérald Gilles, who accompanied the officials, announced that the hospital should be fully operational by February 2026. The successful operation was led by the Haitian police with crucial support from a U.N.-backed contingent of Kenyan officers. Kenyan officer Godfrey Otunge highlighted the collaborative efforts with Haitian authorities and international partners dedicated to rebuilding the nation.
The gang’s control over the hospital was part of a broader campaign of terror. Since February, armed groups have torched and looted over 30 health facilities in Port-au-Prince, pushing Haiti’s healthcare system to the brink of collapse. The violence has exacerbated an already dire situation, leading to a surge in patients with severe illnesses and a crippling shortage of resources.
