Surge in Haitian Mothers Flee to Dominican Republic for Healthcare Amid Gang Violence

As gang violence escalates in Haiti, many Haitian mothers are seeking medical care in the Dominican Republic, attributing their choice to the deteriorating healthcare situation in their homeland. Cineas Lionne, a mother who recently gave birth in the Dominican Republic, voiced her distrust in Haitian hospitals, stating, “I don't think I would receive good care because of the government situation.”

The United Nations reported that less than 25% of hospitals near Port-au-Prince are operational, with increasing violence impacting both healthcare workers and patients. A recent spike in violence included attacks on journalists at a public hospital, leading to the postponement of a planned reopening of medical facilities.

Health care access in the Dominican Republic, while preferable for many Haitians, comes with risks. The Dominican government has deported over 200,000 Haitians in 2024, continuing to enforce strict immigration policies that put expectant mothers at risk of detention. Local authorities aim to manage the influx by deporting up to 10,000 individuals weekly.

Haitian women often avoid prenatal checkups due to the fear of deportation, frequently arriving at Dominican hospitals in dire situations. The healthcare desires of these mothers clash with the political and social tensions that divide Haiti and the Dominican Republic.