Thousands of Cubans have voiced their opposition to statements made by Susana Sottoli, a representative of the United Nations, who claimed that Cuba "remains a leader in health matters." Sottoli, the Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), visited Havana on Tuesday, where she was received by Miguel Díaz-Canel.
"Despite the challenges, Cuba continues to be a leader in reproductive health and population matters, and it is a great pleasure and always an honor to have Cuba with us," the official stated.
For Cubans, who have witnessed their healthcare system gradually deteriorate into a crisis with a lack of medications, supplies, and crumbling hospitals, the foreign official's remarks are seen as a blatant "disrespect."
"Which Cuba did this lady visit? We all know that hospitals lack medications, are filled with pests due to insufficient cleaning supplies, lack the necessary equipment for CT scans, and don't even have lab reagents. Let's not even talk about the polyclinics. It's really a disrespect and a mockery to the people," a teacher pointed out.
"This just shows that the UN and all those organizations are a lie," said a resident of Havana.
"That lady is just mocking all Cubans," added a resident of Villa Clara.
"She should visit the real hospitals in Cuba, not the Cira García! She's shameless, speaking without knowing, when sometimes there isn't even water in the hospitals," a Havana resident remarked.
"Undoubtedly a leader! In disaster, neglect, filth, carelessness, negligence, disrespect, and indifference," detailed a young man.
"She should come to Sagua la Grande to see the wonderful hospital, but she should bring a raincoat so she doesn't get wet and catch a cold or a bacteria," an internet user sarcastically commented.
"There's nothing, but if she says she wants to visit one of those hospitals, in less than 24 hours they'll have everything, even fixing and painting it. They're all shameless. (...) The visit leaves with the image that everything is perfect," recalled a Havana resident.
"She should come to Santa Marta and Varadero to see the disgrace. The bathrooms are disgusting, the care is terrible when you do receive it because there are almost never any doctors, nothing works. When the doctors attend to you, they're thinking about what they're going to eat, and that's the day-to-day reality," said a resident of Matanzas.
FAQs on UN's Praise for Cuba's Health System
Given the controversy surrounding Susana Sottoli's statements about Cuba's healthcare system, here are some frequently asked questions to provide more context and clarity.
Why are Cubans outraged by Susana Sottoli's statements?
Cubans are outraged because they feel her statements do not reflect the current reality of their deteriorating healthcare system, which suffers from a lack of medications, supplies, and infrastructure.
What did Susana Sottoli say about Cuba's health system?
Susana Sottoli claimed that Cuba remains a leader in reproductive health and population matters, which many Cubans found to be untrue and disrespectful given their lived experiences.
What are some of the main issues facing Cuba's healthcare system?
Cuba's healthcare system faces numerous issues including a lack of medications, insufficient cleaning supplies leading to unsanitary conditions, inadequate medical equipment, and deteriorating hospital infrastructure.