MSF Treats Victims of Violence at Hospital in Port-au-Prince

Port-au-Prince/New York, March 8, 2004 - Following Sunday afternoon's shooting incident during a demonstration near the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, people wounded in the crossfire were brought to hospitals throughout the capital city. At Saint-François de Salle Hospital, in the center of the city, an MSF team provided free medical care to the incoming wounded.

Throughout the course of yesterday afternoon and evening, a total of eight patients with bullet wounds were brought to the hospital for emergency treatment. One of them died.

MSF initiated medical support of the emergency room at Saint-François de Sales on February 27 to provide free treatment for people wounded in violent incidents. So far, MSF's medical teams have received some 35 patients, most of them with bullet or machete wounds. In the coming days and weeks, MSF will continue to support the emergency room at the hospital to ensure proper and free access to immediate treatment.