Cuba's health crisis has reached a critical juncture. Dr. Francisco Durán García recently appeared on television to acknowledge that 34 children are severely or critically hospitalized due to chikungunya, a virus he described as "the country's main health issue today."
As the National Director of Epidemiology for the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), Durán, who often speaks for the regime on health matters, also conceded that official statistics "don't always reflect reality." Many people avoid seeking medical help due to a lack of medications, long waits, or distrust in the system.
Despite this, during his appearance on the 'Buenos Días' TV show, he reported over 3,000 new cases daily and more than 47,000 hospitalizations, confirming what doctors and citizens have been warning about for weeks: Cuba is facing a rampant and mismanaged epidemiological crisis.
Chikungunya's Severe Impact on Children
Durán clarified that 63 patients are currently in intensive care units, with 44 in serious condition and 19 critically ill. Of these, only ten are adults; the majority are under 18, highlighting the virus's severe impact on children and teenagers.
Although the epidemiologist didn't specify the ages or regions most affected, his statement raises international concern about chikungunya's potentially dangerous effects on young people.
Recent studies by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) indicate that children infected with the virus may develop neurological, cardiac, and hepatic complications, along with a high risk of dehydration and persistent fever.
In infants and toddlers, the infection can lead to seizures, viral meningitis, encephalitis, and capillary leak syndrome, a life-threatening condition that causes fluid loss from blood vessels to tissues.
Pediatric research in Brazil and India shows that one in ten affected children experiences chronic joint pain for weeks or months after infection, limiting their mobility and school attendance.
Newborns, especially if their mothers contract the virus during pregnancy, face the risk of vertical transmission, which can lead to severe consequences like brain damage or widespread inflammation.
Numbers, Promises, and Silence
While Dr. Durán presents alarming data on television, Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda remains absent from public view. His silence contrasts starkly with the crisis's magnitude and the dire statistics acknowledged by his team.
No official has yet provided a detailed report on budgets, contingency plans, or risk assessments. The official narrative blames mosquitoes and, by extension, the public, while avoiding the structural failures of the healthcare system: insecticide shortages, collapsing fumigation campaigns, lack of technical staff, and inadequate hospital facilities.
Durán admitted that 21% of fumigation plans were unmet due to a lack of equipment and resources, and over 160 brigades couldn't operate last week.
The results are evident across the island: overcrowded hospitals, neighborhoods overflowing with trash, endless lines for painkillers or antipyretics, and families opting for home care over centers lacking medicines and conditions.
Children: A Barometer of Collapse
The fact that 34 children are in severe or critical condition highlights the collapse of Cuba's healthcare system, which claims to prioritize child health.
This isn't just a viral epidemic but proof of a state that has failed its citizens. Chikungunya, a disease preventable through sustained vector control, has become a national threat due to the country's lack of infrastructure, political will, and transparency.
The intense pain caused by the disease — described by doctors as "debilitating" — now mirrors social suffering. Desperate parents, exhausted doctors, and resource-deprived hospitals paint a picture of a sick, neglected nation with no visible leadership.
As the regime calls for calm, issues slogans, and promises control, Cuban children are fighting a silent battle in intensive care units.
The question remains: Who will be held accountable for them?
Understanding Cuba's Health Crisis
What is the main health issue currently affecting Cuba?
Cuba is primarily dealing with a chikungunya outbreak, which has become the main health problem in the country.
How many children are severely affected by chikungunya in Cuba?
There are currently 34 children hospitalized in severe or critical condition due to chikungunya in Cuba.
Why are official statistics not reflecting the actual situation?
Official statistics may not reflect the real situation because many individuals avoid seeking medical attention due to medication shortages, long waiting times, or mistrust in the healthcare system.