The Eliseo Noel Caamaño Provincial Pediatric Hospital in Matanzas has set a new milestone by performing an esophageal variceal ligation on a pediatric patient for the first time in the province. This high-precision endoscopic procedure marks a significant advancement for pediatric care in the region.
The Faustino Pérez Hospital announced this landmark event on social media, celebrating it as a "breakthrough in pediatric healthcare." This achievement was made possible through the collaboration of two Matanzas hospitals and support from a Swiss medical cooperation organization.
Internationally recognized as the preferred method for managing and preventing digestive bleeding linked to portal hypertension in children, the endoscopic variceal ligation technique boasts a 90% efficacy rate in stopping hemorrhages. Additionally, it presents fewer complications compared to the previously used method, sclerotherapy.
The procedure's success was due to the joint efforts of the Gastroenterology Service at the Faustino Pérez Hernández Provincial Clinical-Surgical Teaching Hospital, whose specialists imparted their expertise to the pediatric team. The initiative also received backing from the Matanzas-Switzerland Group, associated with the NGO mediCuba-Suisse.
The official statement noted that "implementing this procedure will allow for more timely care for children requiring such treatment, enhancing the province's healthcare capabilities and reducing the need for transfers to other regions."
On August 6, 2025, the Matanzas-Switzerland Group visited the Pediatric Hospital, delivering a container of medical supplies, further demonstrating their active partnership with the institution.
However, this technical advancement occurs against a backdrop of severe hardship at the same hospital. In October 2025, the facility was overwhelmed, with all 75 beds occupied due to simultaneous outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya, and oropouche, necessitating the establishment of an annex with over 100 additional beds.
Months later, in February 2026, a video surfaced showing the hospital's deplorable conditions: bathrooms filled with trash, dirty floors, and deteriorating walls.
That same month, a mother reported the tragic death of her two-year-old child from generalized sepsis with multi-organ failure, alleging medical negligence.
In May 2026, journalists exposed a garbage dump just a block away from the pediatric hospital, exacerbating the risk of disease vector proliferation.
Amidst these contradictions, the official statement concluded that the achievement "reaffirms the value of international cooperation, continuous education, and collaborative efforts between healthcare institutions, pillars that continue to drive the development of Gastroenterology in Matanzas and offer greater opportunities for specialized pediatric care."
Advancements and Challenges in Pediatric Healthcare in Matanzas
What is the significance of the pediatric esophageal variceal ligation performed in Matanzas?
The procedure represents a significant advancement in pediatric healthcare in Matanzas, marking the first time this high-precision endoscopic technique was performed on a child in the province, enhancing local treatment options.
How did international collaboration contribute to this medical achievement?
International collaboration was key, with the Swiss medical cooperation organization mediCuba-Suisse supporting efforts and the Matanzas-Switzerland Group providing essential medical supplies to facilitate the procedure.
What challenges does the Matanzas Pediatric Hospital face?
Despite the medical breakthrough, the hospital is plagued by severe resource shortages, overcrowding due to disease outbreaks, and poor facility conditions, highlighting the need for continued support and improvement.