Amid the already pressing concerns over the health of children admitted to the Dr. Antonio María Béguez César South Pediatric Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, parents and family members are facing a new source of anxiety: theft. Thieves are reportedly entering the medical facility with impunity, pilfering belongings from those accompanying young patients.
A witness to a theft at the hospital, popularly known as "La Colonia Española," reported the incident early Saturday morning to journalist Yosmany Mayeta. "We were taken by surprise when thieves broke into the hospital," the witness stated, explaining that the culprits access the premises by climbing over the rear wall adjacent to the Chicharrones neighborhood. "They brazenly ascend to the wards where sick children are housed, showing no remorse as they steal."
Around 1:10 a.m., a thief entered one of the rooms, making off with a mother's cell phone and bag. Upon waking and noticing the back door ajar, she saw the thief and began to shout, according to the account.
Security Lapses Exposed
The complaint highlighted the lack of security on the hospital ward doors, urging those with loved ones hospitalized there: "If you visit La Colonia, secure the doors with chairs or even hospital beds, or risk becoming a target for theft."
"Regrettably, the thief was not caught," the witness lamented at the end of the statement sent to Mayeta. The journalist expressed hope that provincial authorities would address the issue promptly, apprehending "the criminals responsible for these acts."
Public Outcry and Broader Concerns
The report has sparked widespread shock and anger, revealing the rampant rise in crime, violence, and insecurity in the country, and criticizing the police's inadequate response to this severe problem.
Previous complaints about the Santiago pediatric hospital have also highlighted a lack of proper conditions and hygiene, substandard food quality for patients, and power outages that threaten the lives of the sick. These issues underscore the profound crisis plaguing the Cuban healthcare system.