Massive Blackout Forces Critical Patients to Relocate to Other Hospitals

Amid a widespread power outage in Cuba on Friday night, patients in critical condition faced the daunting necessity of being moved to hospitals in neighboring municipalities to ensure their survival. According to a report from the local pro-government outlet, Girón, patients from the Julio Aristegui Villamil Hospital in Cárdenas—where backup generators were unavailable—were transferred overnight to the Comandante Faustino Pérez Hospital and the Provincial Pediatric Hospital in Matanzas.

Among those relocated were two patients on ventilators, three expectant mothers, and six children suffering from respiratory issues. These individuals required the necessary medical care that could only be provided in facilities equipped with electricity in certain areas.

Taymí Martínez Naranjo, the director of Faustino Pérez Hospital, explained to TV Yumurí that after the National Electric System (SEN) was disconnected, they had approximately 66 hours of power thanks to backup generators. While she mentioned that they received eight patients, official sources reported the number as six. One of the pregnant women underwent emergency surgery upon arrival. Of the ventilated patients, one remains in intensive care, while the other is in intermediate care, both in serious condition.

Electricity Crisis Puts Lives at Risk

Girón reported that since the energy crisis began, some hospitals have relied on backup equipment and have enough fuel to continue providing essential services. Other facilities receive power from active microsystems in the province. The massive blackout on Friday night endangered the lives of critically ill patients in Matanzas.

In total, the province has 70 adults, 16 children, and 12 newborns under medical supervision. Additionally, 77 patients require supplemental oxygen, and 40 use oxygen concentrators.

Despite official claims that efforts are underway to "maintain vitality" in the province's hospitals and prioritize these health institutions within the newly created electrical microsystems, some places were left without power during the SEN disconnection. The Julio Aristegui Villamil Hospital in Cárdenas received two generators in the early morning hours after the incident.

Doctors Persevere Amid Power Outage

In Cienfuegos, a medical team performing surgery on Friday night was caught off guard by the blackout. Without power, they chose to proceed with the operation, which concluded successfully. This remarkable effort at the Provincial Teaching Hospital Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima in Cienfuegos, where no generators were available, highlights the dedication and professionalism of Cuba's medical staff. Surgeons had to improvise, resorting to flashlights and cell phones to continue their work in a dark operating room.

On Saturday afternoon, the Cuban regime acknowledged the challenges of creating electrical microsystems to restore power following the massive outage. Approximately 18 hours after the SEN's general disconnection, efforts began to restart unit six of the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant and another unit at the Renté thermoelectric plant, using microsystems established in Camagüey and Santiago de Cuba. Energás plants have also gradually resumed generation to support the SEN. In Havana, only 1.5% of customers currently have power.

Hotels Stay Lit While Hospitals Struggle

While hospitals and neighborhoods across Cuba remained in darkness, several hotels and tourist areas continued to shine brightly. An independent news report by CubaNet revealed that, despite the severe electricity shortages experienced by Cuban citizens, tourist facilities maintained their electrical supply.

One video showcased the fully illuminated Iberostar Selection La Habana hotel, widely known as the controversial Torre K, which was recently opened. The Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) assured that the Cuban tourism system has a robust energy backup that ensures the continuous operation of hotels, extrahotel facilities, and associated services.