Disturbing footage has emerged showing elderly patients in the Martíres de Mayarí Teaching Hospital, located in the Cuban province of Holguín, enduring shocking neglect. These individuals are found tied up, unclothed, and without sheets to cover the mattresses they sleep on.
The videos and images sent to our newsroom reveal the dire conditions these elderly patients endure: some are seen without clothing, others are restrained by their wrists to the bed railings, and many are scratching themselves, presumably from days without bathing.
One patient, tied to a stretcher's railings, laments the lack of a sheet to sleep on. Another questions the whereabouts of the hospital's resources, complaining that the doctor visits only once a day while expressing discomfort as his entire body itches, stating, "There's nothing here, not even for bathing."
Among the unsettling scenes is a younger man, completely unclothed, lying directly on a vinyl-covered mattress. These images starkly illustrate the complete neglect of patients in what should be a medical care facility.
In recent months, testimonies like those captured in this video have highlighted severe deficiencies within the Cuban healthcare system, particularly concerning the treatment of the most vulnerable patients.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuban Healthcare
What conditions are elderly patients facing in the Mayarí hospital?
Elderly patients are experiencing severe neglect, being tied up, left unclothed, and without basic necessities like sheets or bathing supplies.
Why is the situation in Cuban hospitals deteriorating?
Reports suggest that the healthcare system is struggling with resource shortages and inadequate patient care, particularly affecting the vulnerable.
How often do doctors visit patients in the Mayarí hospital according to reports?
According to patient accounts, doctors reportedly visit only once a day, which is insufficient for their needs.