The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that Venezuela’s healthcare system is facing severe pressure after last week’s devastating twin earthquakes, which damaged hospitals and left several medical workers missing.
According to the UN health agency, more than 1,700 people have been confirmed dead, while about 5,000 others were injured after the consecutive 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes destroyed or damaged hundreds of buildings.
Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, WHO spokesperson Mr. Christian Lindmeier said at least three health facilities were completely destroyed, while six others sustained damage or are only partially operational.
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“The rest remain operational (but) under significant strain,” Lindmeier said, citing a preliminary assessment of 21 health facilities in the affected regions.
He added: “Preliminary findings reveal chaotic service delivery and patient flow, marked by overcrowding (and) growing surgical backlogs.”
Lindmeier also disclosed that several maternity healthcare workers in La Guaira remain missing, leaving what he described as a “critical gap” in obstetric care.
He further warned that thousands of people displaced by the earthquakes face an increased risk of infectious disease outbreaks due to low vaccination coverage.
“The thousands of people displaced by the quakes are also at risk of disease outbreaks like yellow fever and dengue, especially given relatively low vaccination coverage,” he said.
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