The Placetas Psychiatric Hospital in Villa Clara, located on Callejón de El Mamey, has once again become news due to the deplorable state of its facilities. Sources familiar with the situation report that a severe shortage of medications has aggravated patients with intellectual disabilities, leading to continuous fights and self-inflicted injuries.
The overgrowth of weeds is "covering the entire Psychiatric Hospital," and with the regular doctors and nurses having emigrated, patients often have no one to care for them. Occasionally, they are seen alone, bathing naked in the hospital courtyard. Sources accessed by CiberCuba have provided images showing patients internally at the Placetas Psychiatric Hospital with bruises, broken eyebrows, and facial hematomas due to the lack of necessary medications. They also appear underweight, and the consulted sources confirm that they face serious nutritional issues, with elderly patients being particularly malnourished.
This is not the first time the Placetas Psychiatric Hospital has made headlines. In April 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic, a food theft scandal erupted at the hospital. The head of the shift, a cook, and a guard were brought to trial after an inspection by the Municipal Directorate of Public Health revealed a cart loaded with eggs, chickens, and large quantities of oil within the hospital. That night, patients were only fed rice water.
In May of the same year, the trial of those involved in the theft was suspended. At that time, it was claimed that two witnesses were in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. However, the local news reported several days without cases of coronavirus in Villa Clara, leading to much speculation about the real reasons for the trial's postponement. During that period, the administrator of the maternal home in Placetas was also brought to trial for allegedly stealing 18 boxes of chicken and 129 pounds of beef.
The most significant scandal in Cuban psychiatry occurred in early 2010 when 26 patients at the Havana Psychiatric Hospital (Mazorra) died during a cold wave that hit the capital. The responsible parties were sentenced to prison terms ranging from five to 15 years. In 2010, temperatures in Havana dropped to 39°F (4°C), and many of the deceased were found naked, malnourished, in rooms with broken windows and no blankets. They died from the cold.
Frequently Asked Questions about Placetas Psychiatric Hospital
Given the recent news regarding the conditions at Placetas Psychiatric Hospital, here are some frequently asked questions to provide more context and information.
What is the current state of Placetas Psychiatric Hospital?
The hospital is in a deplorable state, with severe medication shortages and insufficient staff to care for the patients, leading to frequent fights and injuries among them.
Why did the food theft scandal at the hospital make headlines?
In April 2020, a significant amount of food was stolen from the hospital, leading to the arrest of several staff members. The incident was particularly alarming as patients were left with insufficient food, only receiving rice water.
What was the outcome of the 2010 scandal at the Havana Psychiatric Hospital?
In 2010, 26 patients died due to extreme cold conditions, and the responsible parties were sentenced to prison terms ranging from five to 15 years. The patients were found in dire conditions, contributing to their deaths.