A mother from Santiago de Cuba expressed her outrage on social media after experiencing a power outage at a children's hospital, just days after electricity was wasted during the Carnival, criticizing the regime for prioritizing festive events over essential services. Journalist Yosmany Mayeta shared the mother's frustration on Facebook following the blackout at the Dr. Antonio María Béguez César Children's Hospital South, commonly known as "La Colonia."
"This is how things are here, after days of wasting electricity on Carnival. It's a lack of respect for the population, especially considering that small children come here," the woman denounced.
Mayeta's post did not specify the duration of the outage, but incidents like this, which endanger children's lives, highlight the worsening economic crisis in Cuba.
Healthcare Crisis Exposed
In the same complaint, the independent journalist echoed another message from a different individual, warning about the shortage of reagents for blood tests. The informant stated, "They don't have reagents to perform complete blood counts. These people don't care anymore; whether you get sick or recover on your own, you'll never know what's really wrong with you." This underscores the deplorable state of the healthcare facility and the crisis affecting the quality of medical services.
Although the post highlights two serious incidents, it's not the first time such events have occurred in a hospital in Santiago de Cuba. In May, a power outage lasting several hours shocked patients and their companions at the Oncological Hospital, causing concern and dissatisfaction due to the interruption of medical care. The explanation given was that the electric plant or generator lacked the necessary oil, predicting a few hours of working without electricity, according to Mayeta's Facebook account.
Recently, the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital, also in Santiago de Cuba, 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 odor from the bathrooms affected patients and their families in the emergency room.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Healthcare Crisis
In light of the ongoing issues with power outages, lack of medical supplies, and deteriorating conditions in hospitals, we address some common questions and concerns.
What caused the power outage at "La Colonia" children's hospital?
The exact cause is unclear, but it occurred just days after significant electricity usage during the Carnival, highlighting prioritization issues by the regime.
How long did the power outage last?
The duration of the outage was not specified in the report.
What other issues are hospitals in Santiago de Cuba facing?
Hospitals are dealing with shortages of medical supplies, such as reagents for blood tests, and issues like garbage accumulation and clogged bathrooms affecting sanitary conditions.