Cuban pitcher Pedro Portuondo has raised serious concerns after experiencing a harrowing situation at the Antonio María Béguez César Southern Children's Hospital, commonly referred to as "La Colonia," in Santiago de Cuba. His youngest son has been admitted to the respiratory care ward since last Friday.
In a candid post on Facebook, Portuondo highlighted the appalling hygiene conditions faced by patients, supported by images he shared. "The children here are treated worse than animals," the athlete criticized, pointing to the filthy state of the ward, which is strewn with vomit, waste, and an overall unsanitary environment.
According to Portuondo, instead of ensuring proper cleaning, doctors have resorted to opening doors and windows to ventilate the area, while desperate mothers scramble for solutions. He recounted an incident where a cleaning staff member, distracted by her phone, dismissively responded to mothers' complaints, saying, "If I hadn't come to work, who would clean?" Portuondo expressed his outrage at how children are forced to endure the dust and stench of vomit pervading the ward. "No one takes action," he stressed, warning that if his son's health is jeopardized, he will hold accountable those neglecting their duties.
Public Appeal for Urgent Action
Portuondo's denunciation aims to shed light on a situation affecting many children at the hospital, urging health authorities to intervene. "I hope this post reaches those who need to hear it," he concluded.
This isn't the first time the pitcher has turned to social media. Last May, Portuondo responded to criticism from fans following his performance in a game against Matanzas. He pitched only the first inning, allowing four runs, and shared that recent family tragedies, including the death of his three-year-old niece, had undoubtedly impacted his mood and performance.
Previous Reports of Poor Conditions
"It's easy to criticize a player..." he commented in a message, asserting that he wasn't making excuses for his performance. "None of you have the slightest idea of the sacrifices involved in playing baseball or taking on responsibilities within a team as large as mine (Santiago). You just want a show and nothing else matters..." he noted.
Reports of poor hygiene at the Southern Children's Hospital "Antonio María Béguez César" are not new. A few months ago, journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared photos depicting filthy bathrooms and dilapidated facilities.