Family and friends gathered at the home of Héctor Eduardo Tamayo Burgos, a 17-year-old who passed away this Sunday in Santiago de Cuba after several weeks of hospitalization due to a late-diagnosed brain infection. Journalist Yosmany Mayeta reported on Facebook that the young man's body is being mourned at his house in the Altamira neighborhood of the city's capital.
Kirenia Burgos, the young man's mother, received a special release from prison to bid farewell to her son. The mother expressed her gratitude for all the prayers directed to God for her son's recovery, who was in a coma before he passed away, Mayeta indicated.
The funeral is scheduled for 2:00 PM this Monday, with a procession starting from his home to the city's cemetery, where Tamayo will receive his final farewell.
Recently, a young father of a four-year-old also died in Santiago de Cuba due to alleged medical negligence at the Ambrosio Grillo Hospital in the town of El Cobre.
"He developed something in his nose that turned into cellulitis. It seems it spread and he caught a bacteria. They took him to the doctor because he was in a lot of pain, and you know how medical attention is in Cuba. They didn't give him the right medication. They were treating him with pills, which weren’t what he needed," a relative explained in an audio message to journalist Mayeta.
The victim, identified as Yasser Sánchez, was 34 years old and lived in the Los Pinos neighborhood, where neighbors have expressed their distress over his death.
Understanding Medical Negligence and Hospital Conditions in Cuba
In the wake of these tragic events, questions arise about medical negligence and the state of hospital conditions in Cuba. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers that may provide more insight.
What is medical negligence?
Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare provider fails to provide the standard of care that is reasonably expected, resulting in harm to the patient.
How common is medical negligence in Cuba?
While exact statistics are difficult to obtain, reports and personal testimonies suggest that medical negligence is a significant issue in Cuba, exacerbated by limited resources and outdated facilities.
What are the conditions of hospitals in Cuba?
Many hospitals in Cuba suffer from inadequate infrastructure, lack of medical supplies, and outdated equipment, impacting the quality of healthcare provided.