The family of Héctor Eduardo Tamayo Burgos, a 17-year-old currently in critical condition, is demanding clarity on his medical diagnosis. The adolescent has been hospitalized at La Colonia Children's Hospital in Santiago de Cuba for over a week, yet doctors have not identified the cause of his severe state.
Initially admitted to a miscellaneous ward due to a lack of intensive care unit (ICU) beds, Tamayo Burgos has been in the ICU for the past three days. He remains in a vegetative state, reliant on oxygen and other life-support measures, according to a family member who spoke to independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
His cousin, Yurina Otero Tamayo, expressed her frustration: "First, he was in a miscellaneous ward because there were no ICU beds. Now he cannot speak and is on oxygen and everything, in a vegetative state. The saddest part is that the doctors haven't provided a diagnosis."
Héctor Eduardo, an 11th-grade student, lives in the Reparto Luis Dagness neighborhood in Altamira with his father, Eduardo Tamayo Rodríguez, while his mother is currently incarcerated.
"We are desperate. All they say is that he is critical. We demand a diagnosis so he can be properly treated and not suffer anymore," his cousin added.
Worsening Health Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
The province of Santiago de Cuba is grappling with a severe epidemiological situation, with confirmed circulation of four viruses: dengue, influenza, oropouche, and SARS-CoV-2—the virus responsible for COVID-19, according to official sources on Wednesday.
Aris Batalla, a representative of the Red Cross in Santiago de Cuba, warned on Facebook that the presence of these viruses poses a significant risk to the population, who must take extreme preventive measures amid a severe shortage of medications like analgesics and antipyretics.
Additionally, the National Director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), Francisco Durán, acknowledged that the country lacks the fuel necessary to fumigate against mosquitoes, amidst a rising presence of the oropouche virus in Cuba.
In this context, it has emerged that the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba is overwhelmed, lacking beds and resources to handle the increasing influx of patients.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada posted images and testimonies on his Facebook page, including one account of a person whose family member arrived at the hospital struggling to breathe, only to find there were no oxygen tanks available, as they were reserved for severe cases.
He also described the observation room as overcrowded, filled with flies, and lacking beds and air conditioning, despite the ongoing outbreaks of oropouche fever and dengue in the area.
Understanding the Health Crisis and Medical Diagnosis in Santiago de Cuba
In light of the current health crisis and the family's demand for a medical diagnosis for Héctor Eduardo Tamayo Burgos, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What are the main viruses currently affecting Santiago de Cuba?
The main viruses affecting Santiago de Cuba are dengue, influenza, oropouche, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
Why is the family of Héctor Eduardo Tamayo Burgos demanding a medical diagnosis?
The family is demanding a diagnosis because Héctor Eduardo has been in critical condition for over a week, and doctors have not yet identified the cause of his severe state, leaving him in a vegetative condition.
What challenges is the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital facing?
The hospital is overwhelmed with patients, lacking beds, resources, and even oxygen tanks, which are reserved for the most severe cases.