A Cuban mother took to social media to expose the dire conditions at the “Eduardo Agramonte Piña” Pediatric Hospital in Camagüey. According to her account, there was only one pediatrician available to care for all the children admitted, amidst a healthcare collapse affecting several provinces in the country.
She recounted that her daughter was hospitalized with high fever and symptoms akin to dengue. However, upon arrival at the hospital, she was met with a distressing scene: long lines of parents with sick children, overcrowded wards, and an almost complete absence of specialized medical staff.
“There’s only one pediatrician for the entire hospital,” the frustrated mother wrote, highlighting her hours-long wait for her daughter to be seen, while resident doctors struggled to meet the overwhelming demand in visibly strained conditions.
The account, shared by Camagüey journalist José Luis Tan Estrada, sheds light on the worsening state of pediatric healthcare in Cuba, as cases of arboviruses—particularly dengue and chikungunya—surge across various provinces.
Recently, pediatric hospitals in Matanzas, Havana, and Camagüey reported a surge in admissions for febrile and gastrointestinal conditions, compounded by a shortage of medications, lack of oxygen, and exhausted staff.
In some facilities, like the Eliseo Noel Camaño hospital in Matanzas, authorities have even repurposed medical university spaces to handle the crisis.
The Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) recently acknowledged the deaths of three individuals from dengue after weeks of official silence and confirmed the simultaneous circulation of dengue, chikungunya, and Oropouche fever. However, they failed to provide details on the ages or provinces of the deceased, fueling criticism over the lack of transparency.
Meanwhile, citizen complaints have increased on social media, where families across the island share images of children waiting for medical attention in hallways, without medications or basic necessities, demanding immediate government action amid the crumbling healthcare system.
“Doctors are heroes, but they can’t work miracles,” wrote another mother from Matanzas, capturing the widespread feeling of frustration and neglect among Cubans facing their children's illnesses without resources or hope for relief in the nation's hospitals.
Key Concerns About Cuba's Pediatric Healthcare Crisis
What are the main challenges faced by pediatric hospitals in Cuba?
The main challenges include a severe shortage of medical staff, overcrowding, lack of medications, insufficient medical supplies like oxygen, and a surge in arbovirus cases such as dengue and chikungunya.
How has the public reacted to the healthcare crisis in Cuba?
The public has expressed frustration and outrage, particularly on social media, where many share their struggles and demand immediate government action to address the systemic issues in healthcare.
What steps has the Cuban government taken in response to the healthcare crisis?
The Ministry of Public Health has acknowledged the circulation of multiple arboviruses but has been criticized for lacking transparency and not providing sufficient details or solutions to the ongoing crisis.