The Manuel Ascunce Domenech Provincial Teaching Hospital in Camagüey has issued an official statement following the death of Ana Ivis Suárez Batista, a 26-year-old whose passing caused an uproar after her family publicly denounced the absence of a crucial medication while she was hospitalized.
The statement, shared on the hospital's official social media page, begins with condolences to the family and healthcare staff and provides a detailed medical explanation of the patient’s condition.
According to the hospital, the young woman had long suffered from type 1 diabetes, hypothyroidism, and chronic kidney disease. She was brought to the emergency department "in a coma with diabetic ketoacidosis and in septic shock secondary to severe community-acquired pneumonia," at which point, according to the statement, established protocols were activated.
Medication Shortage and Its Consequences
A key point in the hospital's announcement acknowledges the lack of norepinephrine, the primary vasopressor for treating septic shock. "The hospital indeed does not have norepinephrine, which is the first-line medication for septic shock," the statement admits.
Due to this shortage, doctors resorted to using epinephrine, a second-line drug. The statement dedicates several paragraphs to justifying this choice, emphasizing that its use is supported by international guidelines and is considered "an acceptable and recognized therapeutic alternative," while acknowledging that responses to these medications "are unpredictable and depend on multiple factors."
The hospital further elaborates on the pharmacological differences between the two vasopressors, asserting that the choice to use epinephrine, in the absence of the first-line drug, adhered to accepted clinical practice.
Political Implications and Criticism
Beyond the medical explanation, the statement takes a clear political stance. The institution claims that the unavailability of norepinephrine "is not an isolated incident" but a direct result of the "economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba," which they blame for hindering the acquisition of medications, equipment, and medical supplies.
The statement claims this policy affects a significant portion of the national basic drug list and causes numerous pharmaceutical companies to refuse sales to Cuba, even in critical areas of healthcare.
The announcement concludes with a confrontational tone toward critical media and platforms, labeling them "mercenaries" and accusing them of dehumanizing the case and turning "a human tragedy into ammunition for a political agenda," while, according to the institution, ignoring the context that explains the resource shortages.
Public Reaction and Broader Health System Issues
The publication of the statement sparked a strong reaction on social media. Many users expressed condolences to the family and reiterated their respect for the medical staff's efforts, but also questioned the statement's focus.
Among the most frequent comments were criticisms of politicizing a patient's death and questioning the blockade's blame for the absence of a vital medication in intensive care services.
Other messages highlighted the contradiction between the lack of drugs in public hospitals and the presence of medications on the informal market, as well as the inequality in access to health resources within the system.
There was also support for doctors and nurses, noting that they work under extreme conditions and cannot compensate for the lack of basic supplies with mere determination.
Ana Ivis Suárez Batista, aged 26, died at the Manuel Ascunce Domenech Provincial Teaching Hospital in Camagüey. She had been battling health issues related to diabetes for years, making her particularly vulnerable to any imbalance.
Her family attempted to obtain norepinephrine, the medication urgently needed to keep her alive, but failed to secure it in time. According to a source close to the family, they sought the drug on the informal market while the young woman was gravely ill and intubated.
The death of the young woman has shocked Camagüey and brought attention once again to the complaints about the lack of medications in the Cuban healthcare system, even in emergencies where every minute counts.
While the healthcare system is still officially portrayed as one of the nation's major achievements, cases like Ana Ivis's highlight an increasingly common reality: desperate families, hospitals without basic resources, and outcomes many consider preventable.
Impacts of the U.S. Blockade on Cuban Healthcare
What was the cause of Ana Ivis Suárez Batista's death?
Ana Ivis Suárez Batista died due to complications from diabetic ketoacidosis and septic shock secondary to severe pneumonia, exacerbated by the lack of the critical medication norepinephrine.
Why is norepinephrine important in medical treatment?
Norepinephrine is considered the first-line vasopressor for treating septic shock, helping to stabilize blood pressure and ensure adequate blood flow to organs.
How does the U.S. blockade affect Cuba's healthcare system?
The U.S. blockade restricts Cuba's ability to acquire medications, equipment, and medical supplies, impacting the availability of essential drugs and complicating healthcare delivery.