The dire state of Cuba's healthcare system is once again highlighted through an extreme situation: a man from Matanzas took matters into his own hands by extracting his own tooth after being unable to secure medical attention amidst frequent power outages in his area.
Mayito Rivero, a resident of Cárdenas, detailed his experience on Facebook. After several unsuccessful attempts to get a dental appointment and facing electricity shortages at the clinics, he decided to become his "own dentist." "I sterilized a pair of pliers, wrapped them in toilet paper, and proceeded to pull out the tooth. Thankfully, everything is fine," Rivero shared on Tuesday, accompanying his post with photos of the extracted tooth and his makeshift tool.
The story quickly went viral, drawing numerous reactions and comments. In response to some users' surprise, Rivero explained that he has 34 years of experience as a paramedic and that the tooth was "already nearly loose," which gave him the confidence to perform the extraction himself. One of his cousins cautioned him in the comments to take antibiotics to prevent an infection. He calmly replied, "Cousin, everything is okay. Remember, the Riveros are strong."
The Struggles of Cuban Healthcare
This incident underscores the severe deficiencies faced by the Cuban public in such a critical sector as healthcare. Amidst resource shortages, frequent power cuts, and bureaucratic hurdles to secure appointments, many citizens are forced to improvise, risking their own health in the process.
As Cuba grapples with a healthcare crisis that necessitates citizens to find makeshift ways to attend to their health needs, increasingly alarming episodes are emerging within the public healthcare system. In one instance, residents of a Havana neighborhood had to bring a generator to the local clinic due to the lack of electricity needed to operate essential medical equipment.
Healthcare System on the Brink
This situation reveals the fragility of Cuba's healthcare infrastructure and the complete reliance on the community to handle medical emergencies without state support. Similar incidents have been reported throughout the year. A massive blackout forced the urgent transfer of critically ill patients across several provinces because they couldn't be kept on life support machines or respirators.
Hospitals, lacking generators or adequate energy backup, became high-risk zones for the most vulnerable patients. Additionally, doctors in Cienfuegos were caught off guard by a widespread power outage during their shifts, leaving them no choice but to interrupt treatments or use phone flashlights to continue basic care.
Understanding Cuba's Health Crisis
What prompted the Cuban man to extract his own tooth?
The man decided to pull his own tooth due to the inability to secure a medical appointment and persistent power outages affecting dental services in his area.
How did the community in Havana respond to the lack of electricity in clinics?
Residents brought a generator to the local clinic to ensure medical equipment could operate despite the power outages.
What risks do power outages pose to Cuban hospitals?
Power outages in Cuban hospitals lead to high-risk situations for vulnerable patients, as essential life-support equipment cannot function without adequate energy backup.