Photos: Treating trauma patients in Haiti

A woman walks down the street outside of MSF's trauma hospital in the Tabarre neighborhood of Port-au-Prince.

The street outside MSF's trauma hospital in the Tabarre neighborhood of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. It was originally run by MSF from 2012 to early 2019. MSF reopened the hospital in November 2019 due to increasing medical needs caused by violence, as well as traffic accidents.

Haiti 2020 © Guillaume Binet / MYOP

The intensive care unit of MSF's Tabarre hospital.

The intensive care unit of MSF's Tabarre hospital. Every morning the medical team makes its rounds, as the overnight team hands over care of the patients. The majority of patients in intensive care have bullet or stab wounds that need surgery and post-operative care.

Haiti 2020 © Guillaume Binet / MYOP

In Port-au-Prince, on the way to MSF's Tabarre hospital, the roads are full of colorful “tap-tap” – the collective taxis used in Haiti.

In Port-au-Prince, on the way to MSF's Tabarre hospital, the roads are full of colorful “tap-tap” – the collective taxis used in Haiti.

Haiti 2020 © Guillaume Binet / MYOP

An x-ray image shows the medical damage inflicted with an attack with an ice pick.

This patient was stabilized in the emergency room, before undergoing an emergency surgery. The patient was stabbed with an ice pick. The wound was millimeters from the spine and other vital organs but did not touch them, so the surgery could go smoothly.

Haiti 2020 © Guillaume Binet / MYOP

A man who is missing an arm stands with his family.

Wilfrid was riding a motorbike home from work when he was attacked with a machete. He went to Tabarre immediately but the arm could not be saved and a part of it was eventually amputated. He previously worked as a tailor but has lost his job as a result of his injury.

Haiti 2020 © Guillaume Binet / MYOP

This patient is in the observation room after suffering a gunshot wound.

This patient is in the observation room after suffering a gunshot wound. He was hit by what is locally called “une balle mawon,” a stray bullet. Fortunately the bullet did not touch any vital organs.

Haiti 2020 © Guillaume Binet / MYOP

The outpatient department of MSF’s Tabarre trauma hospital.

The outpatient department of MSF’s Tabarre trauma hospital receives up to 80 patients per day. Insecurity in Port-au-Prince and beyond makes it difficult for patients to come for follow-up appointments.

Haiti 2020 © Guillaume Binet / MYOP

Patients do physiotherapy exercises as part of the rehabilitation process.

Patients do physiotherapy exercises as part of the rehabilitation process. Most patients require physiotherapy in the weeks and months following surgery. Since the Tabarre hospital reopened, the amount of activity in the physiotherapy department has grown dramatically.

Haiti 2020 © Guillaume Binet / MYOP

Wilfrid balancing an exercise ball on his head, during his physiotherapy session at MSF Tabarre’s hospital.

Wilfrid during his physiotherapy session at MSF Tabarre’s hospital. He is preparing to receive a prosthetic arm.

Haiti 2020 © Guillaume Binet / MYOP

A patient in the outpatient department is waiting for a change of his bandages.

A patient in the outpatient department is waiting for a change of his bandages. The number of patients receiving care from the outpatient department after their discharge from the hospital has grown to more than 670 per month. Meanwhile, approximately 150 new patients are admitted to the Tabarre hospital every month following injuries from violence or traffic accidents.

Haiti 2020 © Guillaume Binet / MYOP