Relatives and community members of Manuel Andrés Boltre Diegues, an employee at the Nuevitas cement factory, have been tirelessly searching for crucial antibiotics for over a month. Diagnosed with active bacterial meningitis, Manuel remains hospitalized at the Amalia Simoni Hospital in Camagüey, where essential medications are lacking.
This plea for help was shared on Saturday through the Nuevitas Amazon Facebook group by Lisandra Fuentes. She relayed an anonymous post detailing the young man's plight and provided a contact number for those willing to assist.
"He is in dire need of medication that is unavailable," the post warns, listing the required drugs: Meronem (meropenem) and piperacillin-tazobactam. These broad-spectrum antibiotics are deemed critical by medical professionals to combat the infection, yet they are not in stock at the hospital.
Without these treatments, Manuel's condition could deteriorate irreversibly. Meropenem is the first-line antibiotic for treating bacterial meningitis in adults, and its shortage in Cuban hospitals has been documented since at least 2024.
Those able to source the medications or contribute donations to help the family procure them are urged to contact 50209535.
"I hope you can help this good young man," ends the plea circulating online, as the family awaits a response beyond what the Cuban healthcare system can provide.
Shortly thereafter, Yasmany Hernández posted on Facebook, confirming his presence at the Amalia Simoni Hospital with "some of the medication to start the treatment. We expect 70 vials of Meronem to arrive tomorrow for his recovery."
He expressed heartfelt gratitude "to all those who have contributed and are supporting this family."
Healthcare Crisis in Camagüey
This situation unfolds in a hospital facing its own challenges. On July 8, a fire in the Amalia Simoni generator forced the evacuation of newborns to the Camagüey Pediatric Hospital.
That same month, a pulmonologist from the hospital passed away amid what has been described as a "sustained collapse of the healthcare system in Camagüey."
The province has seen notable cases of deaths due to medication shortages. In February, a 26-year-old woman died at the Manuel Ascunce hospital due to the lack of norepinephrine. In June, hemodialysis patients went nearly a week without treatment in the same facility because of basic supply shortages.
Widespread Medication Shortages in Cuba
Manuel Andrés's situation is not unique. According to the National Statistics and Information Office (ONEI), by April 2026, shortages of essential medications in Cuba exceeded 95%, with 461 out of 651 medicines from the National Basic Drug List unavailable.
The United Nations confirmed in May that 56% of the drugs on Cuba's National Essential Medicines List were out of stock.
In the absence of state intervention, social media has become the primary channel for civilian solidarity. Recently, similar appeals have surged, including for an eight-year-old Cuban girl in extreme vulnerability, a mother with a disabled child, and a campaign that raised 45,000 pesos for several families in crisis.
Understanding Cuba's Healthcare Crisis
What medications are essential for treating bacterial meningitis?
Meronem (meropenem) and piperacillin-tazobactam are crucial antibiotics for treating bacterial meningitis. They are broad-spectrum antibiotics that help combat severe infections.
How severe is the medication shortage in Cuba?
As of 2026, shortages of essential medications in Cuba have reached over 95%, severely impacting the availability of critical drugs needed for various treatments.
What role do social media play in addressing Cuba's healthcare shortages?
Social media has become a vital platform for community support and solidarity, enabling people to share appeals for help and coordinate assistance for those affected by the healthcare crisis in Cuba.