Four days following reports of violence at Saturnino Lora Hospital on social media, the Provincial Health Directorate of Santiago de Cuba issued an official statement acknowledging that medical personnel were assaulted in the emergency room by a patient's relatives.
The statement, released under the heading "Violence Is Never the Answer," details an incident that occurred last Sunday. A woman was brought to the hospital after losing consciousness. She was evaluated by two specialists and two residents in Internal Medicine, who found her vital signs to be normal and diagnosed her with a conversion disorder, not life-threatening.
While the patient remained under observation, the official report indicates that her family members, reportedly in a state of excessive euphoria due to alcohol consumption, physically attacked the medical staff. This account aligns with one of the versions circulating online and partially confirms the events initially reported by activists and witnesses.
However, the statement fails to address crucial aspects, such as the absence of police presence in the emergency room, a critical area for responding to urgent cases, victims of violence, and agitated patients. It also omits whether the assailants were apprehended or penalized, and whether measures will be implemented to ensure the safety of healthcare workers.
The official note simply states that the assaulted professionals received immediate care and are in good health. Despite attempting to convey an image of institutional control, the delayed and incomplete publication suggests a reactive stance under social and media pressure demanding accountability.
Moreover, rather than clarifying the situation, the statement leaves lingering questions about the safety of healthcare staff in such violent incidents. The initial account of the incident was provided by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who reported on Facebook that the attack occurred when several critically injured individuals arrived at the hospital. Perceived delays in treatment led their families to "sweep the floor with the nurses," resulting in chaos.
Labrada noted that in the early hours of the day, "there were more police officers than doctors," and unusual access controls were imposed on family members and visitors. In contrast, a user identified as Yanet Pérez responded, claiming the incident was not due to medical delay but involved a patient with hysteria and intoxicated relatives who assaulted a doctor, who was then defended by her husband, also attacked by at least seven individuals.
An on-site nurse confirmed to CiberCuba that the assaulted doctor was part of the clinical emergency team, emphasizing the reality of the violent act. She further mentioned that a nurse was also assaulted and that police presence was significant after the incident. The worker added that there was no police presence at the time, despite the emergency room regularly receiving patients who are intoxicated, stabbed, or victims of violence.
Key Questions about Medical Staff Safety in Cuban Hospitals
What triggered the assault on medical staff at Saturnino Lora Hospital?
The attack was reportedly prompted by the patient's relatives, who were in a state of excessive euphoria due to alcohol consumption, and they reacted violently despite receiving information about the patient's condition from the medical team.
Did the official statement address security measures for medical staff?
No, the statement did not mention any security enhancements or whether the attackers were detained, leaving uncertainty about future protection for healthcare workers.
How did the lack of police presence affect the situation?
The absence of police in the emergency room, a critical area for handling urgent cases, likely contributed to the escalation of violence without immediate intervention to protect the medical staff.