Ernesto Cordoví, the director of the Hijas de Galicia Maternity Hospital in Havana, posted a graphic and uncensored image of the intestines of a seven-month pregnant patient who had passed away just hours earlier on his Facebook wall.
The lack of ethics displayed by the aforementioned director, who is also an enthusiastic YouTuber and "revolutionary" cyber-warrior, escalated after Janet Zulueta Curbelo, the mother of the deceased young Cuban woman, published a complaint accusing the doctors of negligence and poor care.
Laura Castillo Zulueta, aged 29, was taken twice on Wednesday, May 15, to the Hijas de Galicia Maternity Hospital, where she was "mistreated and poorly attended to," according to her own mother in a heartfelt Facebook post. These words were enough to provoke the ire of the hospital director, who not only posted images of the surgical intervention but also private details that included confidential medical information about the deceased woman.
Cordoví did not stop at violating all medical ethical standards; he also, with particular cruelty, blamed the mother for her daughter's death without evidence, and continually engaged in verbal abuse by commenting on Janet Zulueta Curbelo's profile.
Cordoví's post has amassed over 300 comments on Facebook, some of which condemn the unnecessary and cruel use of explicit photographs by the head of a healthcare institution. However, as of now, the post remains unchanged. The string of insults includes the mentioned doctor making judgments against the patient's mother and blaming her with impunity by stating, "because of her decision, her only daughter is dead."
It might be necessary to remind the YouTuber-turned-hospital director of the Hippocratic Oath that all doctors must uphold: "Whatever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession, as well as outside it in my intercourse with men, if it be what should not be published abroad, I will never divulge, holding such things to be holy secrets."
In any case, Cordoví did not emerge unscathed when, at the beginning of 2023, about ten newborns died due to an infectious outbreak in the same hospital he currently directs in Havana.
In a country that rewards servility and flattery, it is not surprising to see unethical individuals leading state institutions. In any case, now Cubans attending the island's hospitals know that private and explicit photos taken by the doctors themselves during operations may end up on the Facebook wall of some enthusiastic "revolutionary."
Ethical Concerns in Cuban Healthcare
This section aims to address some common questions regarding the ethical concerns raised by the actions of Ernesto Cordoví and the broader implications for Cuban healthcare.
What ethical violations did Ernesto Cordoví commit?
Ernesto Cordoví violated medical ethical standards by posting graphic and confidential medical images of a deceased patient on social media, as well as blaming the patient's mother without evidence.
What was the public reaction to Cordoví's actions?
The public reaction included over 300 comments on Cordoví's Facebook post, many of which condemned his use of explicit photographs and his unethical behavior.
Has the post been removed or modified?
As of now, the post has not been removed or modified, despite the backlash.