The Municipal Public Health Directorate of Mayarí, located in Holguín, released a statement on Facebook this Wednesday, refuting claims about a psychiatric patient named Daniel living in El Paso de la Bola, as described in a widely circulated social media post from the day before.
The official response came after activist Adry Díaz posted photos on Tuesday showing a naked man in severe malnutrition lying on the roadside in that Mayarí community.
The statement, shared on the municipal directorate’s Facebook page, reads: “We inform our population that following recent social media posts, there is no patient named Daniel in our municipality, specifically in El Paso de la Bola, with the described conditions. Stay informed through our official channels.”
Díaz had depicted Daniel as a psychiatric patient from El Paso de la Bola, living alone without nearby family support.
According to her post, the man allegedly left in search of assistance before collapsing: “It seems he went out for help, but given his condition, who knows how long it's been since he last ate, he fell by the roadside and was alive when the lady who sent me the photos saw him and, horrified, called for help.”
The activist opted to use social media rather than contact authorities, stating, “We all know that reporting this atrocity to the government is futile.” She described the situation as part of the “silent genocide facing the Cuban people.”
It is not uncommon for the Cuban regime to use social media to counter alleged accusations; however, details are often sparse or absent in such cases.
Moreover, the area has a history of complaints. In February 2025, images circulated showing malnourished elderly people tied to beds in the Martires de Mayarí Teaching Hospital.
Earlier this year, local authorities acknowledged four deaths at a local hospital after a viral complaint reported 14 fatalities.
By June 2026, reports of deterioration and lack of medicine at the Martires de Mayarí Teaching Hospital emerged once more.
Frequently Asked Questions about Health Issues in Mayarí
What did the Mayarí Public Health Directorate claim about the alleged patient?
The Mayarí Public Health Directorate stated there is no psychiatric patient named Daniel in El Paso de la Bola with the conditions described in social media allegations.
Why did Adry Díaz use social media to report the situation?
Adry Díaz chose social media over official channels, believing that reporting to the government would be ineffective, and to highlight what she sees as a "silent genocide" against the Cuban people.
What previous issues have been reported in Mayarí's health system?
Mayarí has faced past allegations, including images of malnourished elderly patients tied to beds and reports of deterioration and medicine shortages at the Martires de Mayarí Teaching Hospital.