A cultural event organized by the Municipal Department of Culture at the Corralillo Psychiatric Hospital in Villa Clara has sparked a wave of criticism and commentary on social media. Videos shared on the Facebook page Cultura Corralillense reveal the physical and emotional state of the patients during this outdoor activity held in the hospital's courtyard.
The patients appeared calm, quietly enjoying the music, yet their emaciated and malnourished appearances, along with some showing vacant expressions, led social media users to liken the scene to a "horror movie" or a "concentration camp." Although the event, conducted in collaboration with Casa de Cultura Leopoldo Romañach, aimed to foster community integration and provide entertainment for the residents, it instead incited feelings of sorrow, shame, and accusations of institutional neglect towards mentally ill individuals in Cuba.
Ethical Concerns Over Shared Footage
Critics not only focused on the deteriorating physical health of the patients but also questioned the ethics behind recording and sharing the footage without apparent consent. Many deemed this a breach of respect and ethics towards the patients and their families. "If the intention was to bring joy to the patients, there was no need to film and post it on Facebook," commented one user, highlighting a lack of institutional sensitivity.
Other criticisms pointed towards the poor conditions of the facilities, systematic neglect, and the visible signs of hunger on the patients' faces and bodies. While the post did generate some positive feedback acknowledging the intent to provide a moment of relief for the patients, even these comments agreed that the execution was flawed.
Continued Crisis in Cuban Psychiatric Hospitals
This incident reignites the ongoing debate about the inhumane conditions endured by psychiatric patients on the island. In July, a distressing video from the "El Viso" hospital in Santiago de Cuba surfaced, showing a schizophrenic patient in an extremely malnourished state, lying motionless and lifeless. The images provoked public outrage.
The victim's niece alleged her aunt died from starvation and neglect: "They killed her with hunger and misery," she stated, accusing medical staff of stealing food, medicine, and belongings intended for the patients.
Subsequent testimonies revealed that this was not an isolated incident, as numerous people shared similar experiences from psychiatric hospitals and nursing homes, where shortages of food, hygiene, medication, and trained personnel are routine.
To date, the Ministry of Public Health has not provided explanations or announced investigations into the conditions exposed at "El Viso" or other similar cases. Authorities remain silent, ignoring a systemic collapse affecting the most vulnerable sectors of the Cuban population.
Key Questions About Cuban Psychiatric Care
What sparked the criticism of the cultural event in Villa Clara?
The event drew criticism due to the visible poor physical condition of the psychiatric patients and the ethical concerns over recording and sharing videos without consent.
What was the intended purpose of the event at Corralillo Psychiatric Hospital?
The event aimed to integrate the patients into the community and offer them entertainment, though it ended up highlighting institutional neglect.
How has the Ministry of Public Health responded to these issues?
The Ministry of Public Health has neither provided explanations nor announced investigations into the conditions highlighted by these incidents, maintaining silence on the matter.