A nurse from the Celia Sánchez Manduley Hospital in Manzanillo, Granma province, has been apprehended by authorities while trying to leave the facility with a stash of stolen drugs and medical supplies, according to sources linked to the Ministry of the Interior. The incident, reportedly occurring during her shift, was shared on the Facebook page "Entérate con Aytana Alama," a platform often used by the Cuban regime to distribute information on social media. However, official institutions and state-run media have yet to verify the news.
According to the report, hospital security personnel and police officers intercepted the nurse as she attempted to exit after her shift with a haul of medical items allegedly intended for theft. These supplies were meant for the patients under her care. Photographs accompanying the post depict confiscated medications and supplies, including vials of omeprazole, ampoules of furosemide, dipyrone, and metoclopramide for injection, as well as blister packs of tablets, numerous disposable syringes, and various equipment and serum bags.
The social media profile did not disclose the nurse's identity, labeling her a "pretender" for diverting these drugs and supplies for illegal sale to the public, fully aware that they were essential for hospitalized patients. The post criticized her actions as highly unethical and suggested that this was likely not her first offense.
The publication called for the nurse’s dismissal from the healthcare sector and legal punishment for jeopardizing the health of sick individuals. While the nurse is undoubtedly accountable for her actions, several commentators highlighted the lack of oversight and control over resources by healthcare management and even implicated some officials in complicity, ultimately harming patients.
Amidst Cuba's severe public health crisis, characterized by chronic medication shortages, the theft and illegal sale of medical supplies remain rampant. Numerous incidents have surfaced in recent years, illustrating the scale of this problem. In March, authorities detained a nurse from the emergency department of the Abel Santamaría Cuadrado Hospital in Pinar del Río, caught leaving with stolen medical supplies. His accomplice, involved in selling the stolen items on the black market, was also arrested.
In April, the government dismantled an illicit pharmacy operating in Cumanayagua, Cienfuegos province, where controlled substances were sold. During recent sessions of the National Assembly, Cuba's Public Health Minister, José Ángel Portal Miranda, admitted to an unprecedented structural crisis in the healthcare system, with only 30% of basic medications available and widespread deterioration of medical services.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuba's Healthcare System
What led to the arrest of the nurse in Manzanillo?
The nurse was caught by hospital security and police with a load of stolen medications and medical supplies as she attempted to leave the Celia Sánchez Manduley Hospital.
Why is medication theft a significant issue in Cuba?
Medication theft is prevalent due to the ongoing severe shortages in Cuba's public health system, prompting illegal sales on the black market to meet public demand.
How has the Cuban government responded to illegal medical supply activities?
The government has taken actions such as dismantling clandestine pharmacies and arresting individuals involved in the theft and illegal sale of medical supplies.