The Take Inside the Haitian hospital on the front line of war
Sep 8, 2025
John Holman, Al Jazeera Correspondent and documentarian, reveals the grim reality at Tabar Hospital in Haiti, one of the last functioning medical facilities amidst rampant violence. He discusses how armed gangs have escalated the humanitarian crisis, leaving patients desperate for care. Holman shares heart-wrenching stories of resilience from doctors treating critical injuries under fire. The chaos not only endangers lives but also tests the commitment of healthcare workers striving to save the wounded in an increasingly unstable environment.
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Humanitarian Collapse Is Multidimensional
- More than a million Haitians are displaced and over half the population faces hunger, showing a deep humanitarian collapse.
- Violence, malnutrition, and sexual violence combine to create multisystem crises across Haiti.
Power Vacuum Fueled Armed Group Control
- The 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse created a power vacuum that armed groups filled, now controlling most of Port-au-Prince.
- These groups have consolidated power, even forming coalitions like "G9"/Varenso to oppose foreign intervention.
Entry By Helicopter And Sleeping On Mattresses
- John Holman described flying into Port-au-Prince by helicopter because roads were blocked and the airport was closed.
- He and the crew slept on patient mattresses inside hospital administrative buildings due to nightly gunfights.