In Banes, Holguín, a Cuban mother finds herself in a dire situation. Without access to crucial medications for her mentally ill son, she has reached out for assistance to construct a cell within her own home. Though a heartbreaking decision, it remains her sole option to safeguard her family and ensure the safety of her other child, who has a mild intellectual disability.
"We can't sleep anymore. I'm terrified he'll break through the existing bars and harm his brother, who also has his own issue, a mild intellectual disability. When he has his medication, he manages, but without it, he only leaves the room to bathe," the mother shared with Cuban activist Norge Ernesto Díaz Blak, who called for solidarity with this family on social media.
In an emotional video, the elderly woman shared her story of desperation, impacted by her sons' illnesses, poor living conditions, her own health deterioration due to central nervous system issues, and the poverty they endure on a pension of just 1,528 Cuban pesos. "I should be taking vitamins and such, but I haven't been to a doctor in ages because, with this situation, I can't go anywhere," she confessed to the activist.
Dealing with Unbearable Conditions
The lack of medication for her son has led to a series of unbearable challenges. "He soils himself on the bed, on the floor... I put a container there, but he uses it when he feels like it, and sometimes he doesn't. Alongside his mental issues, he is physically impaired, making it difficult to lift his legs," she explained.
The pain of asking for help to confine her own son was evident in her words. "It hurts me deeply to ask for help to build a cell for my son because a mother's heart can't bear that. But I don't want him in jail, with the police, or in a hospital. I prefer to stay with him like this, fighting as best I can."
A Desperate Call for Medication
Beyond constructing the cell, the mother is also seeking support to obtain medications that are currently unavailable. "I'm scared, yes, because I'm afraid he'll do something to his brother. Every time he asks for food, oh my son!... When I have something to give, I do; when I don't, we cry... 'Give me a cigarette, give me food, I'm hungry and haven't eaten.' Nobody knows what it's like to have a child in these conditions," she lamented.
For those willing to help, she has shared account numbers in CUP and MLC (9205 0699 9058 4681 and 9235 1299 7681 5824, respectively), along with a contact number (+53 082732) to confirm transfers. This desperate appeal highlights the deficiencies in the healthcare system and the vulnerability of many Cuban families.
Similar Challenges for Cuban Families
This mother's situation in Banes is not an isolated case in Cuba. Many families with mentally ill patients face similar challenges due to the scarcity of medications and the lack of adequate resources.
In October 2023, it was reported that a woman in Havana, unable to get medication for her schizophrenia, attempted to gain admission to a psychiatric hospital. However, she was turned away due to a lack of available beds, exacerbating her condition and her family's despair.
Another tragic incident occurred in April 2024 in Cienfuegos, where a young boy with psychological issues took his own life due to the unavailability of necessary treatment medications. This tragedy underscores the deadly consequences of a shortage of essential medical resources.
Furthermore, in November 2024, a patient from the psychiatric hospital in Las Tunas escaped due to the hunger and neglect he suffered in the facility. This incident sheds light on the precarious conditions within some mental health institutions in the country.
These cases reflect a broader issue within the Cuban healthcare system, where the lack of medications and adequate resources for treating mental illnesses endangers the lives and well-being of both patients and their families. The situation calls for urgent attention from authorities to ensure access to treatments and dignified conditions for those facing these illnesses.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuban Healthcare
What prompted the Cuban mother to request help for building a cell?
The mother requested help to build a cell at home because she lacks access to essential medications for her mentally ill son, and she fears for the safety of her family.
Why is the situation of mentally ill patients in Cuba so critical?
The situation is critical due to the scarcity of medications and inadequate resources, which leave many patients without necessary treatment and put their lives at risk.
How are other families in Cuba affected by the healthcare crisis?
Many families with mentally ill members face similar challenges, including a lack of medications and resources, which often lead to desperate situations and severe consequences.