A power outage on Sunday affected the Ramón González Coro Teaching Gyneco-Obstetric Hospital in Havana, where it appears the backup generator either doesn't exist or isn't operational.
Several women, some of whom were pregnant and others who had just given birth, contacted independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada to report the crisis. They revealed that the lack of electricity was wreaking havoc on patients, including sick infants.
"We've been without power for over an hour, the heat is unbearable, and there are children here who need oxygen to survive," said a young pregnant woman in a video shared by the reporter on Facebook.
The video also shows several ambulances dispatched to the hospital in case any babies or admitted women needed to be urgently transferred.
"The generator has failed twice already and hasn't been fixed, and the hospital's backup system isn't working," stated the woman who recorded the video.
Impact of Power Outage on Healthcare in Havana
The following questions and answers address some of the key concerns related to the recent power outage at the Ramón González Coro Teaching Gyneco-Obstetric Hospital in Havana.
How long did the power outage last at the Ramón González Coro Hospital?
The power outage lasted for over an hour, causing significant distress to patients and staff.
What were the immediate consequences of the power outage?
The immediate consequences included extreme discomfort due to heat and critical issues for infants needing oxygen. Ambulances were on standby to transfer patients if necessary.
Why didn't the hospital's backup generator work?
According to reports, the hospital's generator failed twice and wasn't repaired, leaving the facility without a functioning backup system.