Reports Emerge of Medical Equipment Shortages and Patient Abuse at Guantánamo Psychiatric Hospital

A mother of a patient admitted to the "Luis Ramírez López" Psychiatric Hospital in Guantánamo has raised concerns over the dire situation arising from the absence of essential medical equipment at the facility. This complaint was shared on Facebook by activist Irma Broek, highlighting that vital machines, including the CT scanner and Electroshock equipment used for electroconvulsive therapy in patients experiencing crises, have been out of order for several months.

The complainant emphasized that the prolonged lack of appropriate therapy has significantly impacted both the patients' and healthcare workers' behavior. "Their behavior is aggressive; [the patients] attack each other, and the staff, responsible for their care, responds with similar aggression," she noted. The post also contains images showing the injuries patients have sustained from these altercations.

The letter's author explained that multiple appeals have been made to the health minister for assistance, as both the hospitalized individuals and their families suffer, witnessing their loved ones' vulnerability and inability to receive necessary treatment to mitigate severe symptoms. "Nevertheless, the response has been consistently negative, citing a lack of resources to repair the equipment. Please remember, these are human beings who, despite their illnesses, feel pain," she stressed.