Lucía Lynch, a transgender Cuban woman, brought to light the negligence she faced at the Military Hospital in Marianao, where she was refused treatment for an eight-stitch wound due to a claimed lack of supplies.
Lucía's distressing account gained traction online through a viral video on Facebook. She explained that she had fallen, sustaining cuts on her forehead and chin. These injuries required stitching, but hospital staff informed her that they lacked the necessary materials, directing her instead to the 26 de Julio polyclinic without providing any care.
"I came to the Military Hospital and there's nothing to sew an eight-stitch wound," Lucía lamented in front of the camera, also capturing footage of a nearby trash heap at the hospital.
Lucía, a nurse specialized in obstetrics, highlighted the urgency of her situation: "After four hours with an open wound, stitches are no longer an option, leaving an ugly scar on my face that was once blemish-free."
Adding to her vulnerability, Lucía disclosed her HIV-positive status, which heightens the risks associated with untreated open wounds: "I am a patient living with HIV/AIDS," she stated, visibly anxious about potential complications.
The video, shared by Britney García, sparked outrage on social media. "It's one thing to lack stitches, but they couldn't even clean the wound. Cuban medical service is disgusting," read one user's comment.
Another individual, claiming friendship with Lucía, corroborated the discriminatory treatment transgender individuals face in Cuban healthcare facilities.
"It's true that the treatment is terrible for us. At the Dragones unit, I was bounced around, publicly humiliated, mistreated, and questioned by them, even though I was the patient," the friend shared.
Systemic Failures in Cuban Healthcare
Lucía's ordeal is symptomatic of broader systemic failures. Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda acknowledged before the National Assembly in July 2025 that basic medication coverage had plummeted to 30%, illustrating an unprecedented structural crisis.
In April 2026, the deputy head of the maternal-infant area at Holguín's Lenin Hospital reported "very limited" availability of surgical sutures. Since 2022, physicians at Holguín's Provincial Hospital have warned about using expired sutures causing infections and wound reopening.
Critical Context of HIV in Cuba
Lucía's status as an HIV patient adds critical context to her case. The HIV Biobehavioral Survey by ONEI, released in August 2025, estimated the virus's prevalence among transgender women in Havana at 54.9%, the highest nationwide and among the highest in Latin America.
The National Strategic Plan for the Control of STIs, HIV, and Hepatitis 2024-2028 explicitly acknowledges that transgender individuals frequently face discrimination and stigma, hindering their access to healthcare services.
As Britney García emphasized in her video post: "Gender identity, social standing, or personal beliefs should not determine access to dignified medical care. Health should not be contingent on prejudice, neglect, or lack of resources."
Understanding the Healthcare Crisis in Cuba
What prompted Lucía Lynch to speak out against the Military Hospital in Marianao?
Lucía Lynch spoke out after being denied necessary treatment for an eight-stitch wound at the Military Hospital due to a lack of supplies, highlighting systemic issues in Cuban healthcare.
How did the public react to Lucía's video?
Lucía's video, shared by Britney García, incited widespread indignation on social media, with users criticizing the poor state of Cuban medical services and the discriminatory treatment of transgender individuals.
What broader issues does Lucía's case highlight?
Lucía's situation underscores pervasive problems in Cuba's healthcare system, including severe shortages of medical supplies and medications, as well as discrimination against transgender patients.