Expectant mothers admitted to the Materno Sur Hospital in Santiago de Cuba—also known as the "Clinic of the Angels"—have reported that their meals are alarmingly sparse, consisting of merely four spoonfuls of white rice and a tiny portion of peas.
In an effort to highlight the dire situation, these women have taken photos of their meal trays and sent them to journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
According to their accounts, breakfast is served late and is limited to a piece of bread, cold milk, or a small serving of mashed plantains. There are no snacks or protein-rich foods available.
Poor Nutrition for Rural Patients
The situation is particularly dire for those who travel from remote rural areas without family nearby to provide additional food. These women are almost entirely reliant on what the hospital provides during their stay.
On Facebook, Mayeta Labrada demanded a public explanation: "We ask the management of Materno Sur Hospital and the provincial Public Health authorities to clarify what nutrition pregnant women currently receive in the hospital." As of Tuesday, neither the hospital's leadership nor the Ministry of Public Health had responded.
Widespread Nutritional Challenges
Recently, the reporter shared another complaint from a pregnant woman hospitalized at the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical-Surgical Hospital in the same province. "Look at the food they’re giving us," the woman stated, sharing a photo of a plate with a small portion of rice, cucumber slices, and bits of root vegetables, all lacking any protein.
"How can a healthy diet be ensured for a pregnant woman when hospital meals are so inadequate?" questioned Mayeta.
This problem of inadequate nutrition for pregnant women is widespread across Cuba. The regime itself admitted in June that 25.2% of expectant mothers in Ciego de Ávila were suffering from nutritional deficiencies, with the national average at 22.5%. Santiago de Cuba was noted as one of the provinces with the worst statistics.
A Long-standing Issue
These issues are not new. In July 2024, a pregnant woman hospitalized at the same Materno Sur Hospital complained about being served food with worms. She sent photos to Yosmany Mayeta, showing a meal tray with a small amount of rice, a piece of sweet potato, and minced meat containing a worm. Fortunately, she noticed it before consuming the meal.
In April that year, another expectant mother in the same facility described the food as "pig slop." "No one could stomach that," she wrote, noting that her mother-in-law had to bring her food every day. "And there are women who have no choice but to eat this because they live outside the municipality," she lamented.
Understanding Nutritional Deficiencies in Cuban Hospitals
What are the current meal conditions for pregnant women at the Materno Sur Hospital?
Pregnant women at Materno Sur Hospital receive extremely limited meals, typically just four spoonfuls of rice and a small amount of peas, with no protein-rich foods available.
How has the Cuban regime addressed the issue of malnutrition among pregnant women?
The regime acknowledged in June that a significant percentage of pregnant women suffer from nutritional deficiencies, with Santiago de Cuba being one of the areas with the worst conditions.
What challenges do rural pregnant women face at the hospital?
Pregnant women from rural areas often lack nearby family support and thus must rely almost entirely on the insufficient meals provided by the hospital during their stay.