A Cuban nurse has sparked a lively discussion online after posting a comedic video in which he claims to have "gotten back" at a patient who wouldn't stop complaining about the hospital's condition.
Identified on Instagram as @leonardosanshez, the nurse shared that a young woman, around 19 or 20 years old, was admitted with swelling but spent much of her time criticizing the hospital's state instead of her discomfort.
"She came in complaining—not about her pain, but about the hospital's conditions," he recounts at the beginning of the reel.
The nurse explains that both he and his colleagues tried to convey that the hospital's disrepair was beyond their control. "We're here to take care of you," they assured her.
Despite their efforts, the patient continued her objections, eventually wearing down his patience. "She really got under my skin," he chuckles.
"Leave it all to me," he reportedly told another nurse after checking her medical records and finding she was due for an intramuscular penicillin shot.
The video then humorously reenacts the patient's reaction to receiving the injection. "Oh, oh, no, hold on, hold on," the nurse mimics her, mentioning that the young woman's friend could only exclaim, "Wow, wow."
The reel closes with a playful reminder, "Don't mess with a nurse, my friend."
Hundreds of Reactions The video gathered hundreds of reactions and nearly a hundred comments, many from healthcare workers who related to the scenario. "This is the nurse I need on my shift team," commented one user.
Another nurse chimed in, "Present here, and I use the same technique. Never become an enemy of the nurse."
Comments also included defenses of healthcare workers amid ongoing criticism for hospital conditions. "I completely understand because I work in a hospital, and often people take it out on us when it's not our fault," another user wrote.
The Underlying Hospital Crisis
Beyond the humor, the video sheds light on the declining state of the Cuban healthcare system and the daily pressures faced by medical staff. The nurse acknowledges the dire conditions, emphasizing that healthcare workers are not to blame. The Cuban health system operates with a mere 30% of the essential medication list, a figure confirmed by Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda in July 2025 to the National Assembly.
The video also highlights a common situation in Cuba: many nurses are forced to work multiple jobs and endure long shifts to make ends meet, in a healthcare system further strained by the exodus of thousands of professionals seeking opportunities abroad.
Understanding the Cuban Healthcare Dilemma
Why did the nurse take action against the complaining patient?
The nurse humorously addressed the patient's complaints by taking it upon himself to administer her injection, as a way to cope with her constant criticism of the hospital.
What does the video reveal about Cuban hospitals?
The video underscores the deteriorating conditions of Cuban hospitals and highlights the stress experienced by healthcare workers who are not responsible for these conditions.
How do Cuban nurses cope with their working conditions?
Many Cuban nurses work multiple jobs and endure long hours to supplement their insufficient salaries, as the healthcare system faces challenges like the departure of many professionals abroad.