A user of Cuba's public healthcare system has recorded a video revealing the overcrowding and extreme unsanitary conditions endured by patients at the hospital in San José de las Lajas, located in the western province of Mayabeque. "Look at the filth in here," the individual is heard saying, showing a bathroom clogged with feces and a ward completely packed with patients lacking any privacy. This video was posted on Instagram by JavierDíaz_TV.
These alarming images reflect the ongoing situation in hospitals across other provinces of a country that once boasted of being a medical powerhouse but now conceals the tragedy that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, with hundreds of unreported deaths. Adding to this crisis is the spread of the Oropouche virus throughout the nation, along with dengue, Zika, and other diseases that the Cuban healthcare system fails to control due to, among other reasons, neglect in street garbage collection. Studies estimate that the regime fails to collect the equivalent of three swimming pools of waste daily.
The situation at San José de las Lajas hospital is not an isolated case. Last May, Cuban YouTuber Raisa Zequeira shared with her followers a day at the Provincial Pediatric Hospital of Artemisa, where her four-year-old son was hospitalized. The images highlight the severe crisis that Cuba's public health system is undergoing. In addition to the lack of medications, the shortage of medical supplies, and the deteriorating hospital infrastructure, there are also the unsanitary conditions of the hospital.
Behind the deplorable state of Cuban hospitals is the lack of state investment in an essential public service and the exploitation of doctors sent on international missions, leaving the island with insufficient and often undertrained personnel. According to a report by the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), from January to June 2024, the Cuban regime allocated nearly 40% of its investments to tourism-related activities, while investment in Health and Social Assistance is 14 times less, a fact harshly criticized by economists.
Worst of all, this diversion of resources to the tourism sector is not yielding results. Despite the Cuban regime investing 14 times more in tourism than in public health and social assistance, the number of visitors to the island has not increased, complicating the goal of recovering pre-pandemic figures. In 2019, 4.2 million tourists visited the country. According to data published by ONEI, Cuba recorded 1,905,644 travelers from January to July 2024, numbers falling short of those recorded in the same period last year. In total, 15,263 fewer travelers arrived on the island in the first seven months of this year.
Understanding the Healthcare Crisis in Cuba
This section addresses some common questions about the ongoing healthcare crisis in Cuba, focusing on the key issues highlighted in the article.
What are the main issues in Cuban hospitals?
Cuban hospitals are facing severe issues such as overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, lack of medications, shortage of medical supplies, and deteriorating infrastructure.
Why is there a lack of investment in Cuba's healthcare system?
The Cuban government has prioritized investment in the tourism sector over healthcare, with nearly 40% of its investments going to tourism-related activities and significantly less to Health and Social Assistance.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the Cuban healthcare system?
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed significant shortcomings in Cuba's healthcare system, including unreported deaths and an inability to control the spread of the virus due to insufficient resources and poor sanitary conditions.