On Tuesday, several parents voiced their frustrations over the inadequate conditions in a ward at the South Children's Hospital, also known as "La Colonia Española," located in Santiago de Cuba. According to a Facebook post by journalist Yosmany Mayeta, the parents joined forces to protest after being moved with their children to another area that lacked proper conditions.
The relocation was due to renovations in their original area, but the new space is unsuitable for children suffering from respiratory illnesses. The parents' dissatisfaction was palpable as they recorded videos of the new location to gather evidence, despite staff requests to stop filming.
"This place has no beds, no electricity, and is filled with water. The dust in here will worsen the condition of children with pneumonia," one of the mothers told the journalist.
Ongoing Issues in Santiago de Cuba
This is not an isolated incident in the province. Amid the deteriorating sanitary situation on the island, residents have repeatedly reported the poor conditions and lack of resources at the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital, which struggles to accommodate the increasing number of patients.
Nationwide Hospital Crisis
Just a few weeks ago, a Cuban citizen exposed the appalling hygienic conditions at the Mártires del 9 de Abril Hospital in Sagua la Grande, Villa Clara. Photos sent to CiberCuba portrayed a distressing scene of neglect and lack of cleanliness, highlighting the severe health crisis in the facility.
Last Friday, activist Maikel Herrera Bones, who is dealing with a serious health issue, reported waiting for five days for a bed to be transferred from the Manuel Fajardo University Clinical-Surgical Hospital to the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) in Havana.