Venezuela Earthquakes Devastate a Health System Already in Crisis
Venezuela's earthquake disaster has exposed the country's fragile emergency medical system, which has been weakened by years of economic collapse and institutional decay. Firefighters are using cellphone lights due to a flashlight shortage, while an overwhelmed hospital in the disaster zone is operating without running water, according to a doctor.
In the hardest-hit coastal state of La Guaira, two public hospitals were knocked out of service, leaving only one functioning hospital, which is struggling with basic medical supplies. The hospital's staff are forced to use stored water and intravenous saline to wash their hands and clean bloodstained floors.
The capital city, Caracas, has also been affected, with the roof of one of its main trauma hospitals partly collapsing during the quakes. Hospital staff have urged patients to only come in case of life-threatening emergencies. The city has only three functioning public ambulances, with many patients arriving at hospitals in police pickup trucks.
Power outages and telecom failures have further hindered the response efforts, with hospitals often receiving no advance warning about incoming patients. The severity of injuries is only discovered when the wounded arrive, due to the lack of communication.
In the hardest-hit coastal state of La Guaira, two public hospitals were knocked out of service, leaving only one functioning hospital, which is struggling with basic medical supplies. The hospital's staff are forced to use stored water and intravenous saline to wash their hands and clean bloodstained floors.
The capital city, Caracas, has also been affected, with the roof of one of its main trauma hospitals partly collapsing during the quakes. Hospital staff have urged patients to only come in case of life-threatening emergencies. The city has only three functioning public ambulances, with many patients arriving at hospitals in police pickup trucks.
Power outages and telecom failures have further hindered the response efforts, with hospitals often receiving no advance warning about incoming patients. The severity of injuries is only discovered when the wounded arrive, due to the lack of communication.
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