The tragic deaths of Daniela Aurora Ochoa Hernández, a 22-year-old expectant mother, and her newborn in Ciego de Ávila have once again highlighted the dire state of the Cuban healthcare system and the extreme vulnerability faced by pregnant women. The family has directly accused a resident doctor at the Roberto Rodríguez Hospital in Morón of failing to respond promptly to what they perceived as clear, dangerous symptoms.
Daniela was admitted to the hospital with severe headaches, numbness on one side of her body, and high blood pressure—alarming symptoms for anyone, but especially for a pregnant woman with a history of gestational hypertension. However, according to activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo, who reported the incident on Facebook, the attending doctor downplayed these warning signs and neglected to call in specialists to assess a potential neurological event.
Admitted to the hospital, Daniela suddenly collapsed beside her bed the following day. She experienced seizures and lost consciousness. Although medical staff acted swiftly at that point, it was too late; Daniela passed away, followed minutes later by her baby, delivered via cesarean section after the mother had already died.
"The most painful part is that it was all preventable," the grieving family stated, asserting that a proper evaluation or an earlier cesarean could have saved both lives. "We are witnesses to how a young mother and her child died because medical protocols were not followed," they shared on social media.
This incident has sparked outrage among Cubans both on the island and abroad. Exiled Cuban doctor Alexander Figueredo described the incident as "a silent massacre caused by institutionalized negligence," emphasizing that in Cuba, "nothing works: there is a shortage of doctors, resources, and humanity."
According to Martí Noticias, which reported on the case, this tragedy occurs at a time when official statistics reveal the rapid decline of the healthcare system. Maternal and infant mortality rates, long touted as a success by the government, have been rising for three consecutive years.
Independent observers warn that the lack of specialists, overcrowded hospitals, arboviral epidemics, and drug shortages are leaving pregnant women exposed to previously preventable risks.
Daniela lived in the small rural village of Ciro Redondo. Her baby, almost full-term, had a healthy weight. Now, instead of preparing for a new addition to their family, her loved ones and community mourn two heartbreaking losses.
While the Ministry of Public Health remains silent, the family demands justice and a thorough investigation into the medical personnel's actions. They also insist that the case should not go unpunished, so no other pregnant woman has to endure the same ordeal.
The image that has most outraged those who learned of the tragedy is the small double coffin in which Daniela and her baby were laid to rest. It stands as a symbol of the extent of suffering Cuban families face when negligence intersects with a crumbling healthcare system at the worst possible moment.
Understanding the Healthcare Crisis in Cuba
What factors contribute to the decline of Cuba's healthcare system?
The deterioration of Cuba's healthcare system is attributed to a combination of factors such as a shortage of medical specialists, overcrowded hospitals, ongoing arboviral epidemics, and a chronic lack of medical supplies.
How has maternal and infant mortality been affected in recent years?
Maternal and infant mortality rates in Cuba have been increasing for three consecutive years, challenging the government's previous claims of successful healthcare management in these areas.
What actions are being demanded by Daniela's family?
Daniela's family is calling for a thorough investigation into the medical staff involved and insist that the case does not go unpunished to prevent similar tragedies in the future.