The government of Santiago de Cuba boasted on social media about ongoing renovations at one of the city's main hospitals. However, they did not address urgent issues like the shortage of medical supplies and medications.
Manuel Falcón Hernández, the provincial governor, bragged last Saturday on Facebook about the refurbishments in the emergency service areas of the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital. According to him, the construction work will provide “a more comfortable and functional space for patients requiring medical attention.”
Alongside Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the first secretary of the Party in Santiago de Cuba, the governor visited the Hospital Infantil Sur, also known as La Colonia, “to supervise the cleaning and sanitation efforts being carried out to prevent arboviruses.”
He also mentioned that they had discussions with workers and patients about the condition of the healthcare centers and the “actions taken to ensure a healthy environment.”
However, what the governor did not explain during his tour of these healthcare facilities were the constant complaints about the hygienic conditions in both hospitals.
Recently, the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital faced criticism for garbage accumulation in one of its bathrooms and clogged sanitary services. A similar situation was reported at La Colonia, where the foul smell from the bathrooms affected patients and their families in the emergency room.
The governor also failed to mention that the ongoing repairs at the Provincial Hospital do not address the lack of essential medications and supplies, such as antibiotics and gloves. Currently, disposable gloves are washed and reused.
A nurse interviewed by CiberCuba, who chose to remain anonymous, explained that they are now forced to use washed gloves that are not sterilized. She has even seen doctors perform procedures without gloves due to the lack of this essential supply.
“There are no cephalosporins or meropenem, two of the most important antibiotics. There is also no dipyrone or diclofenac available. Gastric protectors are also missing,” she pointed out, emphasizing that while renovations are important, so are these medications.
She also noted that the center has long-standing issues that remain unsolved, such as leaks in various wards and inadequate air conditioning. These conditions are well-known to the provincial government of Santiago de Cuba, she warned.
Reports of medication and supply shortages, as well as the poor state of healthcare facilities, are common across the country.
Recently, a Cuban shared images of the unsanitary and unhealthy conditions at the Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima General University Hospital in Cienfuegos, describing it as "turned into a pigsty."
“These are not pictures of a dump, but images of the very room where dengue patients are treated at the Cienfuegos Hospital, complete with cockroaches to add to the horror,” stated the administrator of the Facebook group ‘Molinos’.
In May, Cuban YouTuber Raisa Zequeira similarly denounced the conditions at the Artemisa Provincial Pediatric Hospital, where her four-year-old son was admitted. Her images showcased the deep crisis plaguing Cuba's public health system. In addition to the lack of medications and medical supplies, and the dilapidated hospital infrastructure, the hospitals' unsanitary conditions were evident.
Understanding the Healthcare Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
To provide further clarity on the healthcare challenges in Santiago de Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What are the main issues facing hospitals in Santiago de Cuba?
Hospitals in Santiago de Cuba are facing significant challenges, including a shortage of medications such as antibiotics, a lack of essential medical supplies like gloves, and poor hygienic conditions within the facilities.
What specific medications are currently unavailable at Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital?
Key medications that are unavailable include cephalosporins, meropenem, dipyrone, diclofenac, and gastric protectors.
How are healthcare workers coping with the shortage of gloves?
Healthcare workers are forced to wash and reuse disposable gloves, and in some cases, perform procedures without gloves due to the shortage.
Are the current renovations addressing the core issues in Santiago de Cuba's hospitals?
No, while the renovations may improve the physical space, they do not address the critical shortage of medications and medical supplies, nor do they solve long-standing issues such as poor hygiene and inadequate air conditioning.