In the town of Buenaventura, Holguín, a local restaurant owner has taken it upon himself to ensure that doctors on weekend shifts at Nicodemus Regalado León Municipal Hospital receive free meals.
This act of generosity was highlighted on Monday by Radio Juvenil, a station in the Calixto García municipality, which identified the benefactor as Alfonso López Ávila, the owner of the restaurant El Ranchón.
Dr. Ariel Leyva Pérez expressed his gratitude for the complimentary meals he receives while on duty, praising both the quality of the food and the respectful service.
"The meals are not only of great quality but are also served with respect and camaraderie, along with a deep sense of humanity," the doctor shared with the local media outlet.
Dr. Carmen Calixto Calixto, a mother of two and resident of the Las Mantecas neighborhood, approximately seven kilometers from Buenaventura, also expressed her appreciation for the initiative, especially given the challenges of working far from home and enduring long hours at the medical center.
"Imagine having the opportunity to have dinner here without spending a dime, especially when working so far from home. It's something I'm truly grateful for," she remarked.
Alfonso López Ávila explained that his decision to provide this support stems from a desire to express gratitude to healthcare professionals. He offers these meals during the afternoons and evenings on Saturdays and Sundays.
"What can I do but help them with meals during the weekend evenings? It's my humble contribution, and I do it with satisfaction," stated the El Ranchón proprietor.
Radio Juvenil also noted that López Ávila has previously assisted a local Aqueduct brigade by providing meals at a discounted rate while they worked on repairing the sewage system in the Centro Escolar neighborhood of Buenaventura.
López Ávila's gesture is part of a broader trend among private entrepreneurs who use their resources to address the shortages impacting the Cuban population.
In May, another entrepreneur in Sancti Spíritus donated 20 meals to the humanitarian project Hermanos de la Calle, which supports vulnerable individuals.
This private initiative in Holguín comes at a particularly challenging time for Cuba’s healthcare workers, who are grappling with a shortage of medications and supplies, energy issues, and the struggles affecting many essential services.
Complaints about poor meal provisions during shifts have been ongoing for years. In 2022, a doctor from the Hospital Mártires de Mayarí, also in Holguín, highlighted the inadequate dinner provided to on-call staff, consisting of a small serving of rice, boiled sweet potato, and an unidentifiable liquid.
"What we're lacking here is respect for us," the doctor lamented at the time.
FAQs on Free Meals for Doctors at Holguín Hospital
Why is Alfonso López Ávila providing free meals to doctors?
Alfonso López Ávila is providing free meals as a gesture of appreciation for healthcare professionals, recognizing their dedication and the challenges they face.
When are the free meals available for the doctors?
The free meals are offered during the afternoons and evenings on Saturdays and Sundays.
How are other private entrepreneurs in Cuba helping during these times?
Other private entrepreneurs in Cuba have been using their resources to provide for the community, such as donating meals to humanitarian projects and assisting with local infrastructure repairs at reduced costs.