The Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) has initiated the relocation of doctors and nurses from various provinces to Matanzas in a bid to tackle the worsening health crisis. The region is currently grappling with high rates of dengue, chikungunya, and oropouche infections. Official media journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso shared on Facebook that a contingent of healthcare professionals is set to arrive in Matanzas to aid in combating the severe epidemiological situation. He likened the effort to the medical reinforcements dispatched during the COVID-19 pandemic's hospital collapse.
This development aligns with reports of overcrowded hospitals and clinics, a shortage of medical staff, and increasing public complaints about delays in medical care and fatalities. Local sources indicate that several municipalities in the province, such as Cárdenas, Perico, Martí, and Colón, are experiencing high numbers of illnesses due to rampant mosquito proliferation.
Echoes of Past Emergencies
The government's action is reminiscent of the emergency measures taken in July 2021 when Matanzas was the epicenter of the third wave of COVID-19, prompting the deployment of over 300 medical personnel, including members of the Henry Reeve Brigade and the Revolutionary Armed Forces. At that time, hospitals were short of beds, water, oxygen, and medications, with images of patients in hallways circulating widely throughout the country.
Four years later, the situation remains largely unchanged. The province is battling multiple mosquito-borne viruses without adequate resources for diagnosis or regular fumigation. Vector control teams are operating with less than half the required staff, and reports of garbage buildup, unsanitary conditions, and neighborhoods left unfumigated for weeks are proliferating on social media.
Rise of Arboviral Diseases and Lack of Control
MINSAP has confirmed that chikungunya has spread to five provinces—Matanzas, Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Pinar del Río, and Havana—while dengue and oropouche continue active transmission in 12 regions. Experts point out that the accumulation of waste, recent rains, and prolonged power outages have created the ideal conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a common vector for these viruses, to thrive.
Despite official claims of no hospital collapse, the transfer of medical staff from other provinces suggests otherwise. At facilities like the Faustino Pérez Hospital and the Eliseo Noel Caamaño Pediatric Hospital, patient families report long wait times and shortages of intravenous fluids, pain relievers, and rehydration solutions.
A Health Crisis Déjà Vu
The arrival of additional medical reinforcements might temporarily ease the pressure on the health system, but the residents of Matanzas perceive it as a symbol of the endless cycle of crises and makeshift solutions. "Just like during the worst times of the pandemic," many repeat on social media, emphasizing that the real epidemic plaguing Cuba is the persistent lack of prevention, resources, and transparency.
Understanding the Health Crisis in Matanzas
What viruses are affecting Matanzas?
Matanzas is facing outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya, and oropouche, all of which are transmitted by mosquitoes.
Why is there a medical staff shortage in Matanzas?
The shortage is due to the overwhelming number of patients and the inadequate number of healthcare workers available to manage the crisis.
How is the Cuban government responding to the health crisis?
The government is relocating doctors and nurses from other provinces to Matanzas to help manage the escalating situation.