In a heartening announcement, a hospital in Holguín shared the joyous news on social media about the birth of triplets, emphasizing that all three babies were born in good health and describing the occasion as a "privilege" for their medical team.
The celebratory post quickly sparked a critical response from a mother who recounted a starkly different experience at the same facility.
The hospital's statement praised the delivery as "a testament to the incredible work of our medical team," extending gratitude to the staff for their "dedication and professionalism."
The post concluded with a warm "Welcome to the world, little ones!" along with congratulations to the new parents.
Discrepancies in Hospital Experiences
While this family has triple the reasons to rejoice, the hospital's history is not without controversy.
Among the comments was a firsthand account from Thaimi Rosali Matos Torres, who openly criticized the hospital's public image.
"Bravo, it's easy to showcase the successes and beautiful side of the hospital on social media. But what about all the births and newborn deaths they've had?" she wrote.
She shared her own ordeal: "I faced complications in the same hospital, and it wasn't until my child was born that they realized he had been dead for over two days."
Her accusation highlighted the impunity she believes surrounds such incidents: "Such a lovely facade of care, but the reality is different, and nothing changes because everything is explained away, and everyone washes their hands like Pilate."
Historical Context and Recent Data
The institution in question, previously covered in news, is the Vladimir Ilich Lenin University General Hospital, known as the largest maternity facility in Cuba.
The hospital had also reported successful triplet deliveries in April 2024 and December 2022, with both mother and newborns in good health.
The contrast between the hospital's public image and citizen complaints comes amid a severe decline in Cuba's healthcare system.
Cuba concluded 2025 with an alarming infant mortality rate of 9.9 per 1,000 live births, the highest in over twenty years, compared to 7.1 in 2024, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).
In the early months of 2026, Havana reported a staggering 14 deaths per 1,000 live births, the capital's highest figure in more than two decades.
The healthcare collapse has even been acknowledged by the regime itself.
In 2024, Holguín recorded an infant mortality rate of 5.31 per 1,000 live births, with 37 deaths out of more than 6,900 births. The Lenin Hospital reported an institutional infant mortality rate of 2.8 per 1,000 live births in its obstetrics service, as noted by Radio Angulo.
Reports of medical negligence during childbirth have surged across various provinces in recent years. In September 2025, a mother lost her baby at the Maternal Hospital in Camagüey after alleging a lack of timely care. In December 2025, a 22-year-old woman and her baby died in Ciego de Ávila amid accusations of negligence.
The CEPR documented a 148% increase in infant mortality in Cuba from 2018 to 2025, rising from 4.0 to 9.9 per 1,000 live births, a trend that institutional success stories on social media fail to hide.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Healthcare and Infant Mortality
What recent event did the Holguín hospital celebrate?
The Holguín hospital celebrated the birth of healthy triplets, which they described as a privilege for their medical team.
Why did a mother criticize the hospital's announcement?
A mother criticized the hospital's announcement because she had a negative experience there, where her child was stillborn after being neglected for over two days.
What is the current state of Cuba's healthcare system?
Cuba's healthcare system is experiencing a severe decline, with increasing infant mortality rates and reports of medical negligence becoming more common.