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The Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP) responded to alarming reports regarding the conditions of patients at the Mártires de Mayarí Teaching Hospital in the province of Holguín, which were shared through CiberCuba.
Las imágenes y testimonios, enviados a nuestra redacción por la activista Adry Díaz y publicados el 26 de febrero, mostraban a varios pacientes en estado de vulnerabilidad, incluyendo personas mayores atadas a las camas, desnudas, y con signos visibles de desnutrición. Los colchones de las camas no tenían sábanas y los pacientes cuestionaban qué habían hecho con los recursos del hospital. El MINSAP, en su response to the claims, defendió el sistema de salud cubano y subrayó que, a pesar de las "dificultades económicas exacerbadas por el bloqueo económico", la "atención a los pacientes vulnerables sigue siendo una de las principales prioridades del gobierno".
Julio Yamel Verdecia Reyes, director de la Dirección Municipal de Salud Pública de Mayarí, expresó que “el seguimiento a la dinámica demográfica y la atención a los grupos más vulnerables dentro de los servicios de salud sigue siendo fundamental, a pesar de las limitaciones de recursos.”
"I demand that this pigsty be closed. If they care so much about the people, they should form a brigade to clean this up. There are no gloves or medicine," the activist stated in her post. She also referred to the alleged manipulations by the authorities to create a positive image of the hospital, saying that after the photos were taken of the seemingly neat beds, the sheets and other items were removed.
CiberCuba, one of the media outlets that reported the complaints, emphasized that conditions in the hospital have been deteriorating for several years, highlighting that patient grievances have persisted since the onset of the pandemic, over five years ago.
The official also acknowledged that the hospital is working to adapt to the new guidelines being implemented within the maternal and child health program in the region, although specific complaints about the hospital's conditions were not addressed, nor were immediate improvement plans detailed.
Additionally, the entity displayed photos of the same room and the same patients filmed in the videos sent to CiberCuba on Wednesday, now with clean clothes and sheets on the beds.
The activist Adry Díaz, who shared the report on social media, expressed her frustration regarding the lack of attention in the hospital and urged the Cuban government to take urgent measures to change the situation.
In a viral message, he harshly criticized local authorities for what he considers a total abandonment of patients and a lack of action to address the issues of infrastructure, hygiene, and supply of medications in the hospital.
The MINSAP, in its statement, emphasized that health conditions in the region continue to be affected by a shortage of resources, but it did not directly address the specific allegations regarding poor hygiene and inadequate healthcare.
In recent months, testimonies like those in the published videos have highlighted the serious deficiencies in the Cuban healthcare system, particularly regarding the treatment of the most vulnerable patients.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hospital Conditions in Cuba and the Response from MINSAP
What are the current conditions at the Mártires de Mayarí Teaching Hospital?
The conditions at the Mártires de Mayarí Teaching Hospital are extremely precarious, according to recent reports. Images and testimonies reveal patients in vulnerable states, including malnourished elderly individuals, naked and tied to beds, alongside a general lack of sheets, medications, and basic hygiene services.
What has been the response of MINSAP to the complaints regarding the hospital in Mayarí?
The MINSAP defended the Cuban healthcare system, arguing that care for vulnerable patients remains a priority despite the economic blockade. They did not specifically address the complaints regarding the lack of hygiene and the precariousness of care, and attributed the limitations in resources to the U.S. embargo.
What measures are being taken to improve hospital conditions in Cuba?
The MINSAP has not detailed immediate improvement plans for the hospital conditions specifically at the Mayarí hospital. Critics point to the need for urgent actions by the Cuban government to address issues of infrastructure, hygiene, and medication supply.
How have other deficiencies in the Cuban healthcare system manifested?
Deficiencies have been evident through complaints of medical negligence, a lack of basic supplies, and unsanitary conditions in hospitals across the country. The shortage of resources and staff has worsened the situation, forcing many patients to turn to the black market to obtain medications and other essential supplies.
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