As flames erupted on Tuesday night at Cienfuegos' Provincial Hospital Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima, a determined doctor took charge with a resolute declaration that has since become legendary in the facility: "No one's leaving, this baby is arriving."
At precisely 9:15 p.m. on April 14, Annia Marielis Seguí Dueñas, experiencing her first childbirth, went into labor amid the smoke infiltrating the hospital corridors and a compromised power supply, as reported by the state-run newspaper, 5 de Septiembre.
The medical team swiftly moved her to the hospital's Code Red area. It was there that Dr. Lisbet, as she is known, assumed command of the situation, instructing everyone to stay put.
"It was madness," Annia Marielis recounted to 5 de Septiembre, her eyes still gleaming with emotion. "No one lost their nerve."
At that moment, Liz Alejandra was born, weighing in at eight pounds. Her mother proudly describes her as "a brave one" and "a fighter."
Hospital nurses quickly gave her a nickname that now resonates throughout the halls: "La Candelita," reflecting both her birth amid the blaze and her innate brightness.
Touched by Dr. Lisbet's dedication, Annia Marielis decided to honor her by incorporating her name into her daughter's: Liz Alejandra, as a symbol of gratitude.
The newborn's father still breathes deeply at the memory. "Those minutes felt like an eternity," he remarked.
The fire had ignited around 9:00 p.m. in the hospital's second-floor basement, between the Intensive Care Unit and the psychiatric ward. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames in roughly twenty minutes, with no casualties or injuries reported.
The blaze disrupted the emergency electrical system, affecting critical hospital services: the labor and delivery area, neonatology, intensive care units, and compressors.
At the time, the hospital housed 311 patients, including more than a dozen in critical condition, eight of whom were on mechanical ventilation.
These incidents are symptomatic of the chronic electrical infrastructure issues plaguing Cuban hospitals.
Just four days earlier, Santiago de Cuba's Saturnino Lora Torres Hospital experienced a fire due to an overheated air conditioner compressor after a voltage spike, necessitating the evacuation of 12 patients.
In September 2025, the Amalia Simoni Hospital in Camagüey also experienced a fire in its power plant due to a transformer overload, leading to the evacuation of three critical patients.
Both mother and daughter are recovering splendidly. "As long as she's okay," Annia Marielis had hoped during the most intense moments of labor. And her wish came true.
Understanding Recent Hospital Fire Incidents in Cuba
What caused the fire at the Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima Hospital?
The fire began in the hospital's second-floor basement, affecting the Intensive Care Unit and psychiatric ward. The exact cause hasn't been detailed, but it severely impacted the emergency electrical system and critical services.
How did the hospital staff manage the emergency during the fire?
Staff quickly moved patients to safety, and Dr. Lisbet took charge of a laboring mother, ensuring no one left until the baby was safely delivered. Firefighters extinguished the flames in about twenty minutes.
What are the implications of these frequent hospital fires in Cuba?
These fires highlight chronic issues with electrical systems in Cuban hospitals, often leading to dangerous situations and requiring swift evacuations of patients.