A man collapsed this Sunday in front of a house in the Las Cruces neighborhood of Altamira, Santiago de Cuba, apparently due to a hypoglycemic crisis caused by hunger and lack of food intake.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta shared on Facebook the testimony of a neighbor, who recounted that residents of the area were forced to quickly assist the fainted man, offering him sugary water and bread to stabilize him.
“The man seemed to have suffered from hypoglycemia, he said he was hungry,” the person reported in a message to the journalist.
This incident highlights the harsh living conditions many people in Cuba face, especially the elderly, where food shortages and the economic crisis severely impact the population.
Last March, an elderly man experienced a hypoglycemic episode while waiting in line at a bank in Santiago de Cuba, standing under the sun, poorly nourished and ill, without a seat available despite his advanced age.
The 90-year-old man, identified as Eleutelio Simón Bueno, collapsed during the exhausting wait to collect his pension at the "La Comercial" bank, located near the Rotunda of the José Martí District in Santiago de Cuba.
In April, a young man fainted from hunger on a street in Santiago de Cuba and was able to recover thanks to the solidarity of passersby who happened to be in the area and provided him with food.
The video of the sad incident was shared on Facebook by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who noted that hunger-induced fainting spells in the city do not discriminate by age.
Understanding the Hunger Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
The following questions and answers provide insights into the ongoing hunger crisis in Santiago de Cuba, highlighting key issues and potential solutions.
What caused the man to faint in Santiago de Cuba?
The man fainted due to a hypoglycemic crisis caused by hunger and a lack of food intake.
How did the neighbors assist the fainted man?
The neighbors quickly provided him with sugary water and bread to help stabilize him.
Are hunger-related fainting incidents common in Santiago de Cuba?
Yes, hunger-induced fainting spells have become alarmingly common, affecting people of all ages in the city.
What are the broader implications of these incidents?
These incidents underscore the severe food shortages and economic crisis affecting many people in Cuba, particularly the elderly.