The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday warned that Venezuela’s healthcare system is under significant strain following last week’s deadly twin earthquakes, which damaged hospitals and left several medical staff missing.

According to the global health body, more than 1,700 people have been confirmed dead and 5,000 others injured after hundreds of buildings were flattened or damaged by the back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes.

The WHO spokesperson, Christian Lindmeier, noted this during a press briefing in Geneva, noting that at least three health centres were critically destroyed, while six others were damaged or only partially functional.

“The rest remain operational (but) under significant strain,” Mr Lindmeier said, citing the findings of a preliminary survey conducted across 21 health facilities in the affected areas.

“Preliminary findings reveal chaotic service delivery and patient flow, marked by overcrowding (and) growing surgical backlogs,” he added.

The spokesperson added that several healthcare workers specialising in maternity care in La Guaira remain missing, creating what he described as a “critical gap” in obstetric care.

Mr Lindmeier also expressed concern over the health of thousands of displaced persons, warning of potential disease outbreaks due to low immunisation rates.

“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. 

(Reuters/NAN)