A man tragically passed away this Wednesday in the emergency department of Miguel Enríquez Hospital, also known as La Benéfica, in Havana. He reportedly did not receive the necessary medical care after arriving with urinary difficulties. According to a hospital worker, the patient came in during the night complaining of an inability to urinate, as reported by journalist Yosmany Mayeta on his Facebook channel.
After requesting a consultation with a urologist, the patient was fitted with a catheter and it was determined that he needed surgery. A surgeon, who was reportedly a medical student, was consulted. However, after examining the patient, she left him in the hallway without further assistance. The same source mentioned that the hospital's medical and nursing staff often rest during the night, which led to the neglect of the patient, who, according to the witness, was abandoned without further care.
"They told the nurse to administer an IV, but she refused and went to sleep," the source added. In the morning, people in that hospital area discovered the man had died. Sadly, the man was not registered with the emergency department, and due to the lack of care, his identity remains unknown. Currently, his body remains in the hospital morgue, the source noted.
Dozens of online users commented on the post, sharing similar experiences at the hospital, colloquially referred to as "the refrigerator" because "you enter hot and leave cold," as they say. "In that same hospital, I arrived with severe pain, not knowing what it was, and there wasn't a doctor or nurse nearby; I had to lie on the floor enduring the pain, and gradually I felt better. A doctor only showed up 30 minutes later after I had already relieved myself, and then they looked for the ultrasound technician who wasn't even around. That was in 2017 when everything was available, imagine now when there's nothing, oh, and it was in the afternoon," recounted an online user.
Other commenters called for strict measures against the staff, while some argued that Cuba's healthcare system is in collapse and no hospital operates as it once did.
Issues in the Cuban Healthcare System
What happened to the man at Miguel Enríquez Hospital?
The man died in the hospital's emergency department after reportedly not receiving the medical care he required for urinary issues.
Why was the man left without medical care?
According to a source, the medical and nursing staff were resting during the night, leading to the patient being left unattended in the hallway.
What are people saying about the hospital?
Many users have shared similar negative experiences, claiming the hospital is poorly managed and lacks proper medical attention.