A 55-year-old woman from Trois-Rivières faced nearly two days in a Cuban hospital under distressing conditions and struggled to communicate effectively with medical staff after an accident in Holguín. The tourist, named Sylvie Beauchesne, had been vacationing alone in Cuba for a brief getaway. Unfortunately, she fell and lost her balance while exiting the hotel pool in Holguín just two days before her planned return to Quebec.
The fall resulted in a hip fracture, leaving her paralyzed on the right side. Sylvie shared with her family that it took an hour for the ambulance to arrive and an additional two hours to reach the hospital. Upon admission, she was without her belongings, clothing, or money, exacerbating her already dire situation.
Communication with her family since her admission on Friday has been fraught with difficulty. In their desperation, her family accused the hospital of inadequate medical care and highlighted obstacles in arranging her return to Canada. Her daughter, Marika Sirois, voiced her frustrations on social media, criticizing the lack of information and her mother's challenges in understanding the medical staff. "She didn't understand what they were saying, which made everything even more challenging," Marika wrote.
Concerns Over Medical Treatment and Insurance Delays
According to her daughter, the treatment Sylvie received was insufficient. She was medicated multiple times daily without being informed about the drugs administered. During a video call, Marika noticed her mother appeared swollen and dehydrated, and complained that she was only allowed two slices of tomato per meal.
From the onset of the crisis, her daughters, Marika Sirois and Roxane Beauchesne, attempted to expedite her repatriation to Quebec, but to no avail. They reported that the insurance company was initially uncooperative, requiring multiple efforts to secure a clear response. Ultimately, the insurer confirmed on Sunday afternoon that arrangements were underway for Sylvie's air ambulance transfer to Canada.
However, necessary authorizations for the transfer could take up to 48 hours. In the meantime, the insurer advised Cuban doctors against performing surgery on the island, suggesting waiting until arrival in Quebec for the procedure. Despite the delay, Sylvie Beauchesne's situation began improving due to support from compassionate individuals in Cuba.
Community Support Eases Family's Concerns
After her story gained attention on social media, several Cubans visited the hospital to offer assistance. A French-speaking resident located Sylvie and provided her with food and water, as she had gone three days without proper nutrition. Roxane Beauchesne expressed relief at the community's response: "People brought blankets, clothes, and food. That reassures us."
Finally, Sylvie Beauchesne's repatriation was confirmed for Monday afternoon. Her departure was scheduled for 1:00 PM on an air ambulance bound for Montreal, from where she would be transported by ambulance to Trois-Rivières. Her arrival in the city was expected by 10:00 PM the same day.
Despite the resolution, the family remains worried about Sylvie's health and potential complications arising from delayed access to specialized care. "Everything will be resolved once we reach Quebec with doctors who understand us," stated her daughter Roxane.
In addition, the family is still working to recover Sylvie's luggage, which was left at the hotel in Holguín. At the time of her hospital transfer, she had only the swimsuit she was wearing at the pool.
This is not the first instance in recent years where tourists facing medical emergencies in Cuba have reported inadequate treatment.
Common Concerns About Medical Emergencies in Cuba
What challenges did Sylvie Beauchesne face after her accident in Cuba?
Sylvie Beauchesne experienced delayed medical response, communication issues with hospital staff, insufficient medical care, and lack of personal belongings, which compounded her distressing situation.
How did the community in Cuba support Sylvie Beauchesne?
After her case gained attention on social media, several Cubans visited the hospital to provide support, bringing Sylvie essentials like food, water, blankets, and clothing.
What was the response of Sylvie Beauchesne's insurance company?
Initially, the insurance company was uncooperative, but they eventually confirmed that arrangements were being made for Sylvie's air ambulance transfer to Canada, although this required waiting for necessary authorizations.