An elderly man was left lying on a public street in the Reparto Sueño neighborhood of Santiago de Cuba for hours, as no ambulance arrived to provide assistance. This incident has sparked outrage and distress among local residents.
The situation was reported by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who documented the event on Tuesday, January 27th, on 8th Street, between D and E.
According to Mayeta, the senior citizen was visibly vulnerable, showing clear signs of illness, severely restricted mobility, and a bandaged left leg, raising fears of serious medical complications.
Photos shared by Mayeta depict the man lying on the pavement, propped against stairs, with his body sprawled and limbs immobile, while neighbors tried to shield him from the cold and prevent his condition from deteriorating.
Eyewitness accounts from the scene describe the elderly man as disoriented, shivering, expressing cold, and unable to stand on his own.
"We sat him up about three hours ago, but he can't stand," a voice is heard saying in an audio clip sent to Mayeta and circulated on social media.
The recording details the ordeal faced by those attempting to help: repeated calls to emergency services went unanswered, and various institutions provided evasive responses.
According to the testimony, the police hung up the call, the fire department claimed it was not their responsibility, and the Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIUM) reported that at the time, Santiago de Cuba had no ambulances available for emergencies. "It's like people die and nothing happens," laments the voice narrating the scene.
In the complete absence of official response, neighbors attempted to reach out to a friend of the elderly man to assist him, but the lack of transport made it impossible to take him to a hospital promptly. Meanwhile, the man remained exposed to the elements, at risk of falling, experiencing a medical crisis, or facing a fatal outcome.
This case highlights the neglect faced by many elderly individuals in Cuba and the collapse of the medical emergency system, especially in incidents occurring in broad daylight with numerous witnesses present.
Emergency Services and Elderly Care in Cuba
What happened to the elderly man in Santiago de Cuba?
The elderly man was left on a public street for hours without receiving assistance from emergency services, despite repeated calls from concerned neighbors.
Why didn't emergency services respond?
Emergency services were unresponsive; the police hung up, the fire department claimed the case wasn't their responsibility, and there were no available ambulances according to the Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIUM).
What does this incident reveal about the situation in Cuba?
The incident underscores the neglect of elderly individuals and the breakdown of the emergency medical system in Cuba, especially during crises that occur publicly.