Pediatric Hospital in Camagüey: Children Suffer Amid Unsanitary Conditions

Serious allegations have emerged regarding unsanitary conditions at the Eduardo Agramonte Piña Pediatric Hospital in Camagüey. On Monday, images and testimonies were shared that reveal the presence of cockroaches, stagnant urine, foul odors, and dirty bathroom supplies in the Gastroenterology ward, where children with serious illnesses are treated.

Exiled Camagüey journalist José Luis Tan Estrada, currently in Guyana, raised the alarm on Facebook. He shared accounts from several mothers who are accompanying their children in the hospital. One mother, speaking anonymously due to fear of retaliation, expressed, "We have to endure the stench of the bathrooms for up to a week. We complain, but it's pointless."

She further detailed, "There's a bad smell, overflows, cockroaches, dirty utensils, and even stagnant urine in the bathtub." The journalist warned about the constant risk of infection that the children face in such conditions. "Our children are exposed to infection daily, yet no effective measures are taken to resolve the issue," added one of the sources.

The post directly questions the lack of response from the hospital authorities and the Provincial Health Department, who are responsible for maintaining basic hygiene standards in a pediatric facility. "In a hospital where hygiene should be a priority, especially for children with delicate health conditions, the reality reveals negligence and irresponsibility by those in charge," Tan concluded.

Reports of deplorable conditions at the Eduardo Agramonte Piña Pediatric Hospital are not new. Previously, there have been accounts of a lack of potable water, forcing parents to buy bottled water outside the hospital to ensure basic hygiene and consumption needs for their children. This shortage also affected the overall cleanliness of the facility, exacerbating health risks for already vulnerable patients.

At other times, there have been allegations of mistreatment and poor medical care by the hospital staff. Mothers with hospitalized children claimed to have been subjected to humiliation and neglect, including delayed diagnoses and a lack of urgent care. These accounts highlight not only material shortages but also an alarming lack of sensitivity and professional commitment by those who are supposed to safeguard children's health.

Both situations reflect a sustained pattern of medical and human condition deterioration at this pediatric facility in Camagüey, indicating a pervasive atmosphere of institutional neglect despite multiple public alerts from families and activists.