Two elderly individuals are reportedly in a state of severe neglect at the Manuel Ascunce Domenech Provincial Hospital in Camagüey, as highlighted by exiled Cuban journalist José Luis Tan Estrada on social media. "URGENT: Elderly abandoned in the Geriatrics area of Camagüey's Provincial Hospital," the journalist emphasized in a Facebook post, sharing heart-wrenching details about the patients' plight.
Tan Estrada specified that the senior citizens are located in the hospital's Medicine Ward, one in cubicle 1, bed 37 MB, and the other in cubicle 3, bed 51 MB. Both are reportedly not receiving essential medical attention or basic hygiene care.
"These patients are left alone, without consistent assistance, covered in filth, and have not been bathed for several days. Their beds and surrounding areas are filthy, with no change of clothes or basic cleaning, exposing them to infections and physical and emotional deterioration," the journalist lamented.
The images and accounts shared by Tan Estrada highlight a disturbing level of negligence that endangers the lives of these vulnerable individuals and underscores the collapse of Cuba's public health system.
The Collapse of Healthcare in Cuba
"The lack of hygiene and oversight points to severe negligence within the hospital. The Provincial Health Department and the hospital administration appear unable to ensure the minimal care these patients deserve," Tan Estrada stated.
This recent instance of hospital abandonment adds to a series of reports highlighting the dire conditions faced by the elderly in Cuba. Just days ago, content creators Los Fuera de Rosca shared a video of a 93-year-old man selling candies on Havana's streets to survive.
"I worked all my life as a welder, at the Plaza de la Revolución, in the Havana Tunnel... and now I have to keep working because my pension isn't enough," the elderly man said, visibly moved. He also recounted being robbed while trying to make a living as a street vendor.
Challenges Faced by Cuba's Elderly Population
The harsh reality for millions of elderly people on the island is a consequence of a system that has failed to provide social security and dignified living conditions for its oldest citizens.
Official statistics indicate that 39% of retirees in Cuba receive the minimum pension, amounting to 1,528 pesos monthly, a sum insufficient to cover even basic necessities. Runaway inflation, medication shortages, hospital breakdowns, and the lack of family support networks exacerbate the vulnerability of this growing demographic, amid the rapid aging of Cuban society.
Neglecting basic care in healthcare institutions is a serious violation of human rights and illustrates the multidimensional crisis the country is facing.
Understanding the Elderly Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation of elderly care in Cuba?
Elderly care in Cuba is facing severe challenges due to neglect in healthcare facilities, inadequate pension systems, and a lack of supportive family networks, compounded by economic struggles and resource shortages.
How does the pension system in Cuba affect the elderly?
The Cuban pension system provides minimal financial support, with 39% of retirees receiving only 1,528 pesos per month, barely enough to cover basic needs, forcing many elderly to continue working or seek alternative income sources.