All doctors, nurses on strike over gang related kidnappings in Haiti

The strike of health workers in Haiti over an increase in gang-related kidnappings has further destabilised the crisis-stricken island; protesters torched tyres and blocked highways.

The three-day strike began on Monday and resulted in the closure of public and commercial health institutions across the country, with only emergency rooms accepting patients.

Dr Louis Gerald Gilles, who halted his medical office in the Delmas neighbourhood on Tuesday to protest the recent kidnappings of two doctors, said, "We are living in a horrific scenario where no one is protected."

"There isn't a single professional who isn't at risk." Today, it could be a doctor; tomorrow, it could be a lawyer or an architect's office."

According to a United Nations report (PDF) dated mid-February, kidnappings for ransom in Haiti have increased by 180 percent in the last year, with 655 reported to the police. Because many kidnappings go undetected, authorities suspect the figure is substantially higher.

The reports stated that labourers, traders, religious leaders, teachers, medical doctors, journalists, human rights campaigners, and foreign people were among the victims.

The kidnappings of two doctors in recent weeks have increased staff worries at Port-au-General Prince's Hospital, where union workers gathered on Tuesday. They claimed that since the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise on July 7, the situation has deteriorated.

They also accused Prime Minister Ariel Henry's administration of failing to release much-needed cash to the Ministry of Health for basic services, and expressed concern about security.

Guerline Jean-Louis, a 44-year-old hospital janitor who joined the strike, stated, "They may stroll in here, seize anyone, and leave with no worries." "We support the movement because of this."

The strike occurred as the number of Haitians fleeing the country by land and sea increased.

Officials from the United States say 140 Haitian asylum seekers arrived on Summerland Key, roughly 32 kilometres (20 miles) south of Key West, Florida, on Monday.