William Soler Pediatric Hospital Overwhelmed: Parents Protest Lack of Care

The William Soler Pediatric Hospital in Havana is grappling with severe overcrowding, understaffing, and a shortage of essential supplies, as reported by the families of patients. These complaints highlight a dire situation affecting one of Cuba's prominent healthcare institutions.

Reports shared by the pages of La Tijera and Saúl Manuel on Saturday included accounts from parents and caregivers. They describe prolonged waits, stagnant queues, and substandard conditions within the hospital, painting a grim picture of the current healthcare crisis.

According to these firsthand accounts, critical areas of the hospital are staffed by "only two students and a doctor" to manage a relentless influx of patients, including newborns. Sanitation issues compound the problem, with "bathrooms" being particularly problematic, according to one account. Families describe the situation as chaotic, amid a surge in fever cases and conditions resembling dengue fever.

One father recounted arriving with his daughter, who was suffering from escalating vomiting, only to be placed on a list that remained stagnant for three hours. He described other frustrated parents and a desperate rush to receive service "almost by force" when his daughter's condition worsened.

"It's truly chaos," he lamented, demanding immediate care for escalating cases in the waiting area.

Another complaint came from a woman who explained that her friend's child was sent home twice due to a lack of medication, only to become dehydrated. She stated that the family had to purchase IV fluids and necessary equipment on the street.

"There's nothing for vomiting, nothing at all," she added, criticizing an alleged treatment policy that prioritizes only severe cases due to shortages, leaving the rest "to their fate." This policy reportedly favors pregnant women and children under 12.

Amid such dire conditions, families reported two child deaths from hemorrhagic dengue fever, raising alarms about the hospital's capacity to handle surges in pediatric care demand and provide even basic supplies. The unsustainable situation, as described by families, underscores the urgent need for more staff, medicine supply, and drastic improvements in hospital hygiene to prevent further fatalities and avoidable complications.

A similar crisis emerged in early October in Matanzas, when the Pediatric Provincial Hospital Eliseo Noel Caamaño was reported to be under extreme pressure, with bed occupancy reaching its limit due to rising viral illnesses in the province. The hospital management reported a high number of admissions and restructured services to address the surge in demand. Patients were also redistributed to other facilities in the province to alleviate the hospital's burden.

Healthcare Crisis in Cuba

Providing an update on Cuba's healthcare crisis, an official noted a significant rise in nonspecific febrile syndromes over the past week, with 109 municipalities experiencing increased patient numbers for these conditions. The positivity rate for dengue IgM has also risen, indicating active transmission in several provinces, including Guantánamo, Matanzas, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, and Villa Clara.

The deputy minister further mentioned that although acute respiratory infections are decreasing, viral circulation continues. This persistence necessitates ongoing personal protective measures, especially with increased rainfall potentially compromising water quality and facilitating vector spread.