A Cuban mother has brought attention to the deplorable condition of food provided by the State for her son, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, by documenting its spoiled state in a video shared across social media platforms.
The video, posted on the Facebook account Hermes Yasell, reveals visibly spoiled meat as the mother describes its overpowering stench.
"Look at how awful the meat is for children with chronic illnesses. And the smell? I can't even describe it. I don't want to touch it because of the awful odor," she states in the recording.
The mother further criticizes the insufficient quantity of meat provided, stating, "There's not even two pounds, not even a kilo of meat here."
In an additional video, she points out the cheese included in the medical diet, claiming it has been in storage for three months because it was already spoiled upon receipt.
"Three months of cheese. It's pointless because no one can eat this cheese," she laments.
She attributes the problem to inadequate storage conditions at the distribution center, where fish, beef, and cheese are stored together in the same refrigerator.
"They keep fish, beef, and cheese all in one place. Look at the huge disrespect towards our children; it hurts us as parents," she expresses, clearly upset.
She concludes with a poignant question that encapsulates her frustration: "Do you really think this is something we can give to our sick children? It's impossible."
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system. Patients need a high-calorie, protein-rich, and fatty diet to maintain proper nutrition, making spoiled food a severe risk to their health.
In Cuba, cystic fibrosis is included in the National Medical Diet, which subsidizes certain foods. As of October 2023, patients with cystic fibrosis no longer need to periodically renew their authorization to receive this medical diet.
However, families of patients have consistently reported issues with supply. In April, several mothers of children with cystic fibrosis publicly demanded medications, food, and solar panels to combat the extended power outages affecting essential medical equipment for their children.
These challenges extend to other food programs. In June, the Minister of the Food Industry, Alberto López Díaz, acknowledged that over 100,000 Cuban children were not receiving their allocated milk through the ration card system due to supply constraints.
This mother's report adds to a growing number of accounts about the worsening condition of medical diets meant for patients with chronic illnesses. This program, intended to support the most vulnerable populations, is facing growing challenges amid the country's ongoing food crisis.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuban Medical Diets
What is the significance of the National Medical Diet in Cuba?
The National Medical Diet in Cuba is crucial as it provides subsidized food for patients with chronic illnesses, ensuring they receive necessary nutrients that are otherwise hard to come by due to economic constraints.
How does cystic fibrosis affect dietary needs?
Cystic fibrosis requires patients to have a diet high in calories, proteins, and fats to maintain proper nutrition due to their increased energy expenditure and digestion issues.
What are the reported challenges with food programs in Cuba?
Reported challenges include insufficient supply, poor food quality, and inadequate storage, which are exacerbated by the country's broader food crisis and economic difficulties.