Dr. Georgina Pérez, a physician in Holguín, has raised alarms about the dire lack of intensive care beds at Hospital Lenin, as her father battles for his life due to a severe case of mixed acidosis.
Her emotional appeal, shared on the Facebook group "Revolico Holguín Aquí No Se Venden Papas," describes how she felt forced to set aside her medical principles and seek help through social media.
"My father is dying and I've had to turn to this method to find an ICU bed. Today, I had to set aside my medical training and ask for help because my father is dying," Pérez expressed.
She further explained that her father was admitted to the Geriatrics A ward at the Provincial Hospital Vladimir Ilich Lenin. To care for him, she has had to purchase everything herself—medications, supplies, and materials that should be provided by Cuba's public health system.
"I've had to buy everything, and I don't mind, but I can't buy an ICU bed. I'm urgently asking for help for my father. I'm not one to stir controversy, but I know my system is suffering from so much chaos. Help, my father is dying!" she added in her post.
The doctor's account quickly went viral among health professionals and residents in Holguín, highlighting the hospital crisis plaguing the eastern part of Cuba following Hurricane Melissa and a surge in viral illnesses.
The Cuban healthcare system, once hailed as a regional model, currently faces severe challenges, including medication shortages, a lack of laboratory equipment, deteriorating hospital conditions, and a critical shortage of intensive care beds.
In her post, Pérez directly addressed Dr. Amalia, a fellow physician at the hospital, seeking assistance to transfer her father to an intensive care unit and secure a blood gas analysis.
"You helped me, and I knocked on your door, but my efforts came too late given my father's condition," she lamented.
Just hours after her plea gained traction, her father was finally moved to an intermediate care ward, as Pérez herself confirmed.
"This shouldn't happen to anyone, especially not to a doctor who dedicates their life to saving others. It's such a profound pain," one Facebook user commented in response to her post.
Other comments criticized the lack of essential items like reagents, oxygen, and basic equipment in hospitals across Holguín and other provinces—a situation worsened by the pandemic and recent natural disasters.
This crisis unfolds amid widespread reports of a healthcare system on the brink of collapse in Cuba, where dangerous viruses such as dengue and chikungunya are currently rampant.
Understanding the Healthcare Crisis in Cuba
What is causing the shortage of ICU beds in Cuba?
The shortage of ICU beds in Cuba is largely due to the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Melissa, a surge in viral diseases, and systemic issues within the healthcare system, including infrastructure deterioration and resource scarcity.
How are doctors in Cuba coping with medical supply shortages?
Doctors in Cuba often have to personally purchase medications and medical supplies that should be provided by the public health system. They deal with significant shortages and must sometimes compromise their medical principles to seek external help.
What diseases are currently affecting Cuba?
Cuba is currently facing a rise in serious viral diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, complicating an already strained healthcare system.