A young Cuban, just 19 years old, passed away this week in Santiago de Cuba due to alleged medical negligence. According to his family, a peritonitis was misdiagnosed as dengue. The family reported this to journalist Yosmany Mayeta.
"We took him to the hospital for treatment, and they initially sent him home. But as his condition worsened, we returned, and he was referred to Grillo because they said it was dengue," a family member told the journalist. "There, they diagnosed peritonitis and operated on him, but he died," the relative added.
"That boy had been suffering from appendix pain for over a week, and he was even complaining about the pain so much that he could hardly walk. They took him to the hospital, and he was sent home without a proper diagnosis," reiterated a neighbor.
"The truth is he was a very beloved young man by everyone. Imagine how the neighborhood is feeling. We are all deeply saddened," the neighbor lamented. The deceased young man, named Vladimir Hechabarría, was mourned at his home.
A video shared on social media by the aforementioned journalist showed numerous people crying and deeply distressed inside a house where the young man's lifeless body was being mourned. Vladimir had turned 19 in November. He was laid to rest this Thursday, accompanied by dozens of people who followed his coffin to the cemetery.
"I urge the Public Health authorities in Santiago de Cuba to come forward and clarify this tragic death of such a young individual," the journalist concluded, extending condolences to the family.
In the comments section of the post, dozens of internet users sent their condolences for the young man's untimely death, while several recounted their own experiences or those of close relatives as victims of medical negligence.
Others confirmed that in recent times, due to the widespread presence of the virus in the country, there has been an exaggerated tendency to consider almost any symptom as an indication of dengue.
In recent years, reports of medical negligence in Cuba have surged, many with tragic outcomes, amidst a backdrop of severe shortages of supplies and a constant exodus of healthcare professionals, both to foreign countries and to more lucrative sectors within the nation.
Medical Negligence Concerns in Cuba
This section addresses common questions regarding the reported medical negligence in Cuba, especially in the context of the recent tragic death of Vladimir Hechabarría.
What led to the young man's death in Santiago de Cuba?
The young man, Vladimir Hechabarría, died due to a misdiagnosed peritonitis. Initially, his condition was mistaken for dengue by medical professionals.
How has the community reacted to this tragedy?
The community is deeply saddened and distressed. Many people attended Vladimir's funeral and expressed their condolences. Additionally, several individuals shared their own experiences with medical negligence.
What are the broader issues affecting healthcare in Cuba?
Cuba's healthcare system is facing severe shortages of supplies and a continuous loss of healthcare professionals to other countries or more lucrative sectors within Cuba, leading to increased reports of medical negligence.