Recently, independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared on Facebook striking images of the sanitary conditions at the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Surgical Hospital in Santiago de Cuba. This facility is one of the primary medical centers in Cuba's second-largest city.
The photos reveal rusted toilets devoid of lids, walls and floors plagued by severe dampness, and makeshift buckets filled with crumpled newspaper serving as a substitute for toilet paper.
In another image, a cardboard box can be seen on the floor, acting as a trash receptacle, where medical saline bags, catheter tubes, used paper, and cans are haphazardly mixed, with no adherence to biosecurity protocols.
This is not an isolated incident. On November 30, 2025, Mayeta Labrada had previously documented the dire state of the 5D Ward at the same hospital, which caters to patients with chronic illnesses. The report highlighted broken toilets, foul-smelling pipes, and flooded hallways.
At that time, a patient's family member, speaking anonymously, commented, "Entering a bathroom is a challenge... it shouldn't be like this for someone who is ill."
On December 4, 2025, there was a report of a cockroach infestation in the maternity ward's bathroom, where new mothers and their infants had to contend with filth and dampness.
Five days later, the dialysis service was disrupted for hours due to a shortage of salt needed for the disinfection plant, leaving patients without treatment.
In January 2026, new complaints emerged about sewage water flowing beneath patient beds in the 5B Ward on the fifth floor, a result of collapsed bathrooms and outdated plumbing.
On May 30, 2026, Mayeta once again reported on the conditions of the surgical ward's bathrooms at the same hospital and noted heightened tension and police presence there on that same day.
The management at Juan Bruno Zayas has yet to implement any substantial solutions to these issues; the only actions taken have involved relocating the gynecology service and receiving donations of mattresses.
Mayeta Labrada, now based in Washington D.C., has faced repercussions for his work. In May 2026, he reported receiving direct threats via WhatsApp from Cuba following his coverage of the island's healthcare crisis.
The deterioration of the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital mirrors the collapse of the Cuban healthcare system: over 96,000 patients await pending surgeries, infant mortality nearly tripled between 2018 and 2025, and 385 healthcare facilities report severe damage.
Even the Health Minister, José Ángel Portal Miranda, acknowledged in February 2026 that the government would not be resolving the sector's resource shortage in the near future.
FAQs on the Healthcare Crisis in Cuba
What are the current conditions like at Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital?
The hospital is facing extreme sanitary issues, including rusted and lidless toilets, severe dampness, and makeshift waste solutions. The biosecurity protocols are not being followed, leading to unsanitary conditions.
How has the Cuban healthcare system been affected overall?
The Cuban healthcare system is struggling, with over 96,000 patients waiting for surgeries, a significant increase in infant mortality, and extensive damage reported in 385 health facilities.
What actions have been taken to address the issues at the hospital?
So far, the only responses have been relocating the gynecology service and accepting mattress donations. There have been no substantial measures to address the root problems.