Reynier Hidalgo González, a Cuban resident of Báguano, Holguín, made a desperate plea for help this Wednesday due to his critical health condition and the lack of medical attention. His situation is aggravated by the scarcity of basic food items, leading to a severe decline in his health.
On Facebook, Hidalgo blamed the Cuban government for his current state of health: "If I die of anemia, it will be the government's fault because they provide good food for hotels and tourists, but for those of us who rely on social assistance, there's practically nothing," he denounced.
The 30-year-old pointed out that with the 2,600 pesos he receives monthly, he can only buy the few items available at the local store, which he compared to a desert due to its lack of essential products.
In a comment, Hidalgo explained that he suffers from arthritis, psoriasis, and now lupus, which has developed due to the adverse effects of the medications he takes for the other two conditions.
Hidalgo described the suffering he endures not only from his illness but also from the desperation of seeing how the lack of food and medicine exacerbates his condition: "The government can't even stock the store with the basics needed for adequate nutrition, worsening my ordeal," he lamented.
He noted that since he left military service at 21, his life has been filled with suffering and chronic pain that only analgesics can slightly alleviate. "And now, the government leaves us with the lowest salaries against the high cost of food," the young man lamented.
Despite his dire situation, Hidalgo vowed to fight for his survival: "I will not give up until my last breath. I will keep trying to get one of my posts to reach someone who can help us, because I repeat, I do not want to die."
His story highlights the harsh reality faced by many Cubans amid the country's economic and social crisis, where basic needs like health and nutrition seem inaccessible to the most vulnerable.
Recently, farmer Delio Ramírez Rosales took to social media to denounce the poor nutrition that Cubans endure, using as an example the plate of food he "enjoyed" and for which he thanked God.
The rice scrapings, the burnt rice from the bottom of the pot (which many hungry Cubans have grown fond of), was the "delicacy" Ramírez Rosales ate before going to bed early to wake up again for a day in the fields.
"I work like an animal from sunrise to sunset, and sometimes it's tough. Today, I had to eat plain rice scrapings. I wanted to pair it with sugar water, but when I checked, I had no sugar... And I thanked God for the scrapings," said the farmer on Facebook.
Amid this bleak scenario, the regime announced that the shortage of rationed products would persist in September. Betsy Díaz Velázquez, Cuba's Minister of Domestic Trade, stated to official media that "we do not anticipate having oil or coffee in September, just as there was none in August."
Understanding the Health and Nutrition Crisis in Cuba
This section aims to answer some key questions regarding the ongoing health and nutrition crisis in Cuba, as highlighted by Reynier Hidalgo González's plea.
What are the main health issues Reynier Hidalgo González is facing?
Reynier Hidalgo González suffers from arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus, the latter of which developed due to the adverse effects of medications for his other conditions.
Why does Reynier blame the Cuban government for his health condition?
Reynier blames the Cuban government for his health condition because of the lack of adequate food and medical supplies for those who rely on social assistance, while better resources are allocated to hotels and tourists.
How has the scarcity of basic necessities affected Reynier's health?
The scarcity of basic necessities has worsened Reynier's health by depriving him of essential nutrition and medical supplies, making his chronic conditions more difficult to manage.