Seven-month-old Cuban baby Lian Coronado Babastro underwent emergency surgery this Tuesday at the La Colonia Children's Hospital in Santiago de Cuba following several dipyrone injections that caused an abscess in one of his buttocks. The infection, allegedly due to medical malpractice, nearly cost him his life.
The infant was admitted with a fever to the Juan Vitalio Acuña Pediatric Hospital in Palma Soriano on Monday, September 2, after receiving his six-month vaccination. However, doctors diagnosed a viral infection and administered multiple dipyrone injections, all in the same buttock, to reduce his fever. Despite worsening symptoms, medical tests indicated everything was within normal parameters, according to Lixander Babastro, the child’s uncle residing in the United States.
Days passed, and the child's condition deteriorated. On Saturday, September 7, a family member noticed swelling in the baby’s leg and testicles, along with a lesion where the injections had been administered. The mother immediately requested an ambulance to transfer the baby to La Colonia Children's Hospital in Santiago de Cuba. Despite the child crying constantly and being in visible pain, the ambulance never arrived.
From the United States, Lixander Babastro began sending letters to the Municipal Health Directorate of Palma Soriano and various public agencies he found online. Instead of resolving the issue, the family was declared "persona non grata" and barred from the hospital, even from bringing food to the mother. A municipal health official named Dailyn reportedly told the mother that the baby’s case was not the most severe or urgent for transfer to Santiago de Cuba. Consequently, the child arrived at La Colonia in a critical state and was immediately admitted to intensive care.
Two days later, surgeons drained the accumulated pus from the abscess caused by the dipyrone injections, which had nearly cost the baby his life. "The life of an infant who is just beginning to live has been jeopardized by medical procedures that deteriorated his health," lamented the uncle in his statements. He also noted that the family has demanded explanations from the hospital directors in Palma Soriano, who not only verbally abused them but also declared them "non grata."
"I need answers and an investigation into what happened. The municipal health director claimed everything was arranged for the ambulance transfer to Santiago de Cuba on Saturday, which was a lie. The child needed an urgent blood transfusion upon arrival at La Colonia and underwent emergency surgery. Dailyn deceived my family. Someone must be held accountable for the delayed diagnosis and transfer. Justice must be served for the health of a seven-month-old child. They have played with an infant's health and mistreated my family," concluded Lixander Babastro in statements to CiberCuba and letters sent to the Council of State, the Ministry of Public Health, and UNICEF, among other national and international public bodies.
CiberCuba reached out to the Municipal Health Directorate of Palma Soriano, but as of the time of publication, no response had been provided.
Key Questions About Medical Malpractice in Cuba
In light of the emergency surgery of baby Lian Coronado Babastro, questions about medical malpractice and healthcare response in Cuba have arisen. Here are some key questions and answers related to this incident:
What led to the emergency surgery of baby Lian Coronado Babastro?
The emergency surgery was necessitated by an abscess in the baby's buttock caused by several dipyrone injections, allegedly due to medical malpractice.
How did the family respond to the medical situation?
The family sought urgent medical intervention and repeatedly contacted health authorities and public agencies, but were largely ignored and declared "persona non grata."
What actions have been taken by the child's uncle, Lixander Babastro?
Lixander Babastro has demanded a thorough investigation and accountability from the hospital staff, sending letters to various national and international health organizations.
What was the hospital's response to the family's concerns?
The hospital in Palma Soriano did not respond to the family's concerns promptly and declared them "persona non grata," preventing them from accessing the hospital.