The Cuban medical community is mourning once again with the passing of Dr. Orlaida Matos Urgellés, a highly respected healthcare professional from Baracoa. According to colleagues on social media, Dr. Matos Urgellés succumbed to a severe cerebrovascular illness in the Intensive Care Unit of the municipal hospital on Thursday, August 21, at approximately 7:30 pm.
Dr. Matos Urgellés was a part of the cohort of physicians who graduated in 1990 from the Faculty of Medical Sciences in Guantánamo and was a member of the III Carlos J. Finlay Detachment, a group of professionals who significantly contributed to the development of the healthcare system in eastern Cuba. Her dedication to medicine was matched by her warm personality and commitment to service, as highlighted in messages from friends and colleagues.
Dr. Plácido Ferreiro Romero expressed his sorrow on Facebook, paying tribute with the words: “Rest in peace, my dear friend and classmate Orlaida. We will miss you dearly.” Similarly, the news outlet Miguel Noticias confirmed her passing and remembered her as an integral part of Baracoa’s medical community.
A String of Losses in the Healthcare Sector
The death of Matos Urgellés follows closely on the heels of the loss of Dr. Irma Mercedes Tumbarell Villalón, an accomplished neonatologist and director of the Tamara Bunke North Maternity Hospital in Santiago de Cuba. Tumbarell made an indelible impact on maternal and child healthcare, as well as on the education of future medical professionals.
In recent months, the Cuban medical community has bid farewell to several prominent figures: in April, pediatrician Silvia Carlota, known for her dedication to the children of Santiago, passed away. In the following month, Dr. Armando Caballero López and cardiologist Enrique Sanabria, both nationally recognized, also died. July saw the loss of Dr. Yaimarelis Pico and former Health Minister Julio Teja Pérez, who was influential in shaping the island’s healthcare system.
Impact on the Medical Community
The passing of Dr. Orlaida Matos has left a profound void in Baracoa, where she was deeply cherished by both patients and colleagues. Social media is awash with tributes that emphasize not only her professional excellence but also her humanity—an inspiring blend of science and compassion that defined her career in Guantánamo's medical field.
Her departure adds to a series of losses that have hit Cuba’s healthcare sector hard over the past year, intensifying the sense of grief within a profession that remains a cornerstone of Cuban society.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cuba's Medical Community Losses
Who was Dr. Orlaida Matos Urgellés?
Dr. Orlaida Matos Urgellés was a respected healthcare professional from Baracoa, known for her dedication to medicine and her compassionate nature.
What impact did Dr. Matos Urgellés have on her community?
Dr. Matos Urgellés was cherished for her professional skills and her human touch, leaving a lasting impression on her patients and colleagues in Baracoa.
What other significant losses has the Cuban medical community faced recently?
Recently, the Cuban medical community has lost several notable figures, including Dr. Irma Mercedes Tumbarell Villalón, pediatrician Silvia Carlota, Dr. Armando Caballero López, and cardiologist Enrique Sanabria.