Cuban Woman Highlights Hospital Conditions: "We Had to Bring Our Own Syringes"

A young woman from Matanzas, Cuba, recently took to social media to share a video revealing the state of the Faustino Pérez Provincial Hospital, where she went for a routine medical check-up. Her candid and undramatic video has sparked significant reaction online, drawing attention to the basic deficiencies in Cuba's healthcare system. She explained in her video, "we had to bring our own syringes because there weren't any," while showing the blood draw being done with a small needle that she said caused considerable pain. She also documented having to wait in line with a plastic container to submit a urine sample, and showed the hospital surroundings, which she claimed had been recently renovated.

Throughout the TikTok video, user @anita.cubanita64 described how her friend accompanied her throughout the process and showcased areas of the hospital like the outdoor kiosks selling food and various products, as well as the adjacent medical school. This post is part of a series where she candidly shares the everyday hardships of life on the island, such as shortages of supplies, frequent power outages, and food scarcity.

Online Reactions: Support, Criticism, and Nostalgia

The video has garnered thousands of views and over a thousand comments on TikTok, with users expressing a mix of admiration, outrage, and solidarity. While some highlight the renowned training and dedication of Cuban doctors—often hailed as "the best in the world"—others point out the stark contrast between their professional reputation and the dire conditions they must work under.

One viewer shared, "I met a Cuban doctor who literally saved my life. The best of all." Another remarked, "Cuban doctors saved me in Venezuela when I had a seizure due to hepatitis." Yet, some emphasized, "Cuban doctors are good, but the rest doesn't help... there are no supplies, no conditions."

Many expressed shock and anger at the young woman’s account: "How is it possible that a hospital doesn't have syringes?" someone questioned. Another user lamented, "It seems like they're stuck in time. Everything looks like it's from the '60s." A critical comment noted, "I know why you're so skinny. The disease is called communism."

Some comments reflected on the system's contradictions: "They always say Cuban doctors are the best, but they don't have the means to practice well," said a user. Another added, "They have to bring their own syringes. That's not public health; that's survival."

Concerns about freedom of expression were also raised: "I wonder how she can record these things without facing repercussions," questioned one netizen. In admiration, another noted, "What courage to show this. Thank you for highlighting what many remain silent about."

Others recalled positive experiences with Cuban medical staff in different countries. "My dermatologist was Cuban and completely cured me," shared a user from Latin America. From Europe, another added, "Here in the Canary Islands, the best doctors I've had were Cuban."

Comparisons with other countries were frequent: "That's better than many hospitals in Venezuela," wrote one person. Another stated, "In Ecuador, we queue from dawn and there are no medicines. We're in the same boat."

Recurring Issues

Anita has previously documented another critical healthcare situation. Last March, she recounted how she had to take her son to the hospital, which lacked even basic surgical tools like scalpels and scissors to treat a forehead wound. At that time, she also denounced food shortages and showed how she prepared meals to share with homeless elderly people.

A Systematic Crisis

Anita's case is part of a series of recent complaints about the collapse of Cuba's healthcare system. Recently, a mother of a child with HIV reported that her son had gone nine months without medical attention due to a lack of specialized transportation. In Camagüey, the death of a severely malnourished young man in a provincial hospital reignited the debate over negligence and abandonment in facilities for people with disabilities.

Additionally, Cuban influencer Eileen Morales, from Miami, lashed out on social media after her son in Cuba went two months without seeing a doctor who was "in meetings." Her testimony reignited the discussion about the lack of medical ethics, drug shortages, and the overall deterioration of care on the island.

While the regime insists on touting public health as one of the "achievements" of the system, more frequent and visible citizen testimonies on social media paint a different picture: hospitals without supplies, endless waiting lists, unusable equipment, and a growing sense of institutional neglect.