A man known as Daniel, a psychiatric patient from the community "El paso de la bola" in Mayarí, Holguín, was discovered on Tuesday lying beside a road, unclothed and suffering from such extreme malnutrition that he was unable to stand.
This alarming situation was brought to light by local activist Adry Díaz, who shared the news on Facebook after receiving photos from a distressed eyewitness.
According to the post, Daniel lives alone without any nearby family to support him. The witness mentioned that he had ventured out seeking assistance, but the severe state of his health prevented him from reaching help.
"It seems he went out for help, but given his condition—who knows how long it's been since he last ate—he collapsed by the road. The woman who sent me the photos saw him alive and, horrified, called for help," Díaz described.
Mounting Evidence of Institutional Neglect
The complaint was specifically aimed at the Municipal Health Department of Mayarí. Adry Díaz justified her decision to turn to social media by stating, "We all know that reporting this atrocity to the government is futile."
Addressing the institutional abandonment, the activist was forthright: "The system that promised to protect him has clearly forsaken him."
Widespread Crisis in Healthcare Facilities
Daniel's case is not isolated. In 2025, the Mártires de Mayarí Teaching Hospital faced serious accusations of neglect, with elderly patients found naked, malnourished, and restrained to their beds.
In February 2026, local authorities acknowledged four deaths in a single day at this facility, though viral reports claimed as many as 14 fatalities that day.
Complaints resurfaced in June of this year about the dilapidated state of the hospital, citing issues like the absence of windows and medication shortages.
This pattern of neglect is widespread across the island. In September 2025, reports emerged from the Camagüey Psychiatric Hospital of patients being beaten, neglected, and tied up for hours, with inadequate food provided.
Similarly, in June 2025, a patient at the "El Viso" psychiatric center in Santiago de Cuba died amid allegations of neglect and starvation. Earlier that year, a young man escaped from the Holguín Psychiatric Hospital, citing hunger and lack of care as his reasons.
Medication Shortages Exacerbate Crisis
These incidents are symptomatic of a broader medication crisis. In July 2025, the Minister of Public Health admitted that only about 30% to 32% of the basic drug supply was available, including essential antipsychotics like risperidone, lithium, and valproate, leaving thousands of mentally ill patients without treatment and in extreme vulnerability, both inside and outside institutions.
Adry Díaz concluded her post with a statement reflecting the outrage of those witnessing these conditions: "This is the silent genocide facing the Cuban people."
Understanding the Healthcare Crisis in Cuba
What led to Daniel's severe malnutrition?
Daniel's malnutrition is a result of neglect, as he lacks family support and the healthcare system has failed to provide the necessary care and nutrition he needs.
How has the healthcare system in Cuba been failing mental health patients?
The healthcare system in Cuba is struggling due to severe medication shortages and institutional neglect, leaving many mental health patients without essential treatment and care.
What are the broader implications of this healthcare crisis?
The broader implications include widespread vulnerability among patients, increased mortality rates, and a growing distrust in government institutions to provide basic healthcare services.
What has been the response of local authorities to these issues?
While there have been some acknowledgments of the problems, such as the deaths at the Mártires de Mayarí Teaching Hospital, the response has been largely inadequate, with little action taken to address the root causes of the crisis.