The community of Puerto Padre in Las Tunas is mourning the loss of Yordan Leyva Peña, a revered educator and former principal of Salvador Cisneros Betancourt Secondary School. He passed away on Wednesday due to complications from a medical condition, leaving behind a significant impact on both education and his community.
Colleagues, students, and neighbors remember him as an outstanding teacher who inspired countless individuals and shaped many lives. Ángel Michel Gallego Tomas expressed his sentiments on Facebook, stating, "Today, Puerto Padre mourns with respect and love. Though a teacher has departed, his legacy remains in the lives he touched, the vocations he inspired, and the souls he helped shape."
Comments suggest that Leyva's teachings extended beyond academics, instilling values, dedication, and a passion for learning, creating a legacy that transcends the classroom. Some online discussions hint that his death might be linked to negligence concerning insulin administration. While there are no official confirmations, it is suggested that he faced complications due to personal mismanagement of his treatment.
Puerto Padre bids farewell to an educator whose influence will endure, living on in the memories of his students and the hearts of a grateful community.
Tragedy Strikes: Teenage Girl's Death Amid Power Outages in Havana
A 13-year-old girl tragically died in Havana during ongoing power outages after receiving an insulin dose. The family is uncertain whether the insulin was compromised by the lack of refrigeration due to blackouts or if it originated from a faulty batch.
"We don't know exactly what happened. We believe the batch was faulty. She was due for insulin at night, and as soon as she received it, she collapsed. They had been without electricity for days," said a source.
The insulin involved was reportedly a new vial, requiring refrigeration. The girl had been diabetic since age two. This information, confirmed by CiberCuba through a phone interview, was initially shared by a Facebook user known as "Mandarina Choc Choc," who claims to be a family friend. The girl's wake was expedited due to a lack of adequate facilities.
In June 2023, a Cuban mother reported that Havana's Marianao Pediatric Hospital provided expired insulin for her diabetic child. "Mothers, I must tell you I have a 2-year-old diabetic son, and today his father went to pick up insulin, and they gave us expired ones. We've been using expired insulin for two months," wrote Bárbara Castellano in the Facebook group "Cuban Mothers in Cuba and Around the World."
Concerned about potential reactions to the expired medication, Castellano warned other mothers who might face similar situations. In March 2024, it was announced that Egypt would export insulin injections to Cuba for diabetes treatment. The Egyptian-made Insulinagypt was set to arrive through United Company for Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of the Arab pharmaceutical group ACDIMA.
Addressing Insulin Issues in Cuba
What led to the teacher’s death in Las Tunas?
Yordan Leyva Peña passed away due to complications from a medical condition, with some speculation around negligent insulin administration.
How did power outages in Havana affect the 13-year-old girl's death?
The girl's death occurred after receiving insulin during power outages, raising concerns about improper refrigeration or a faulty insulin batch.
What actions are being taken to address insulin issues in Cuba?
Cuba is set to receive insulin injections from Egypt, produced by Insulinagypt, to aid in diabetes treatment.