Thousands of Haitians seek medical help from US Navy ship

Thousands of Haitians seek medical help from US Navy ship|Thousands of Haitians seek medical help from US Navy ship
Associated Press / Dieu Nalio Chery|Associated Press / Dieu Nalio Chery

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Thousands of Haitians with problems including diabetes and bullet injuries are hoping to be treated aboard the USNS Comfort, which docked in Port-au-Prince this week for its last stop of a five-month medical mission.

The visit of the U.S. Navy hospital ship comes as violent demonstrations and street barricades have led several hospitals across the country to run out of medical supplies. Some have temporarily closed as protesters keep demanding the president’s resignation.

Among those waiting to be seen on Friday was Miga Alfred, whose 3-month-old daughter has hydrocephaly. The two live in the town of Jacmel and had been traveling since 4 am.

More than 900 personnel were providing care aboard the ship and at a Haitian Coast Guard base.

Fishermen work as U.S. Navy’s hospital ship USNS Comfort is anchored off Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. From Nov. 4 – 13, Haitians will have free access to U.S. military doctors on the ship on a first-come, first-serve basis for general, pediatric, dental, ophthalmological and orthopedic care, at the Killick Coast Guard Base.
Associated Press / Dieu Nalio Chery