The Octavio de la Concepción de la Pedraja Pediatric Hospital in Holguín has publicly refuted circulating social media claims regarding an alleged woman disguised as a nurse attempting to abduct children from their facilities. In a statement released on their social media platforms, the hospital clarified that there are no complaints or evidence to support such claims, dismissing the rumor as a hoax.
"There are no child abductions occurring in our facility. A false narrative is being spread on social media about a supposed nurse abducting children. There are no complaints or evidence to support this claim. Cuba maintains a safe and secure healthcare system," the hospital's message stated.
The unfounded alarm originated from an image shared online, cautioning mothers about a supposed child abduction attempt at the Holguín pediatric hospital. The image read: "Please, mothers at the Holguín pediatric hospital, there is a woman dressed as a nurse stealing children from the wards."
Over recent months, Cuba has seen a rise in baseless rumors about alleged child abductions, causing concern among the public. The first of these rumors surfaced in January, when authorities in Cárdenas, Matanzas, debunked claims of attempted kidnappings in local schools, labeling them as false and asserting that there was no evidence to support such events.
In February, Cuban state media decisively denied further rumors of child abductions, underscoring the security present in the nation's schools and urging the public to seek information from official channels. These previous incidents highlight not only the need to verify information and rely on official sources before spreading stories that could incite public alarm but also reflect the insecurity prevalent on the island.
Additional incidents, such as thefts at the Dr. Antonio María Béguez César South Children’s Hospital in Santiago de Cuba—where thieves entered through the back to steal belongings from accompanying mothers at night—and the attack on a worker at the Juan de la Cruz Martínez Maceira North Children’s Hospital, also in Santiago de Cuba, underscore the necessity to bolster security measures in healthcare institutions to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, and staff.
Addressing Public Concerns and Rumors in Cuban Healthcare
What did the Holguín Pediatric Hospital say about the child abduction rumors?
The hospital stated there is no evidence or complaints to support the rumors of a woman disguised as a nurse abducting children, dismissing it as false information.
How have previous rumors of child abductions in Cuba been addressed?
Authorities have consistently debunked such rumors, emphasizing the security of educational institutions and advising the public to rely on official sources for accurate information.
What incidents have highlighted the need for increased security in Cuban hospitals?
Incidents such as thefts at the South Children’s Hospital and an attack at the North Children’s Hospital in Santiago de Cuba illustrate the urgent need to enhance security in healthcare facilities.