Strain on healthcare in New Caledonia: Emergency rooms at risk due to nurse shortage, teetering on the edge of collapse
The Gaston-Bourret Territorial Hospital, the largest healthcare facility in the Caledonian archipelago, has announced that its emergency room will only handle serious cases after a medical advice from age 15. This decision comes amidst an ongoing crisis in the Caledonian health system, which was triggered by the riots that occurred in May 2024.
The riots, sparked by a controversial bill aimed at opening the electoral body, resulted in a severe shortage of healthcare professionals in the region. Since then, 17% of health professionals have reportedly left the territory, further straining the already struggling healthcare system.
The hospital's decision is aimed at ensuring the reactivity of the teams and is a response to the current tension situation. The emergency room will only accept pregnant women, and for non-pregnant cases, a medical advice from age 15 is required before any potential treatment of serious cases.
The crisis in the Caledonian health system is ongoing, with the population advised to adopt good habits and avoid going to the emergency room unnecessarily. The hospital's closure is another indication of the ongoing struggle to provide adequate healthcare services to the local population.
The Caledonian archipelago's health system has been experiencing a severe shortage of healthcare professionals since the riots in May 2024. The ongoing effects of this shortage include persistent healthcare workforce shortages, service closures, and increased social vulnerability linked to incomplete recovery and instability.
The territorial government is aware of these challenges and is working on stability and development frameworks, but recovery is slow and still fragile as of mid-2025. The shortage also raises concerns about attracting and retaining healthcare workers due to ongoing political and social instability.
The Gaston-Bourret Territorial Hospital, built in 2016 and located in the outskirts of Noumea, is just one of the many healthcare facilities struggling to cope with the shortage of healthcare professionals. The hospital's emergency room, which was built to handle critical cases, has partially closed, highlighting the severity of the situation.
References:
[1] "Healthcare Crisis in New Caledonia: Causes, Effects, and Challenges." New Caledonia Government Health Report, 2025. Accessed 2025-06-01.
Science and health-and-wellness are deeply impacted by the ongoing medical-conditions in the Caledonian archipelago, especially considering the severe shortage of healthcare professionals since the riots in May 2024. The hospital's decision to only accept pregnant women in the emergency room, along with requiring medical advice for non-pregnant cases under 15, is a clear indicator of the straining healthcare system, which has rapidly evolved into a critical state.
