This past Friday, a young rat was spotted scurrying across the floor of the 3I Maternity Ward at the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Surgical Hospital in Santiago de Cuba. The images, shared by journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on his Facebook page, form part of a public denunciation.
According to the report received by Mayeta Labrada, the rodent was seen early in the day within the area dedicated to the care of pregnant women and patients requiring specialized monitoring.
The photos reveal the dark brown creature clinging to the green mint-painted block walls, a common feature of Cuban hospital facilities, while the terrazzo floor shows evident dirt stains and deterioration in several sections.
Hygiene Concerns in Healthcare Facilities
"The presence of rodents is concerning in any healthcare institution, but it is particularly alarming in an area meant for the care of pregnant women and patients needing specialized attention," wrote Mayeta Labrada when posting the images.
The journalist didn't mince words about the severity of the situation: "We are not talking about a landfill or an abandoned building. This is the Maternity Ward inside one of Santiago de Cuba's main hospitals."
He posed a critical question capturing the core of the issue: "Where are the hygiene, pest control, and vector control protocols of a provincial hospital?"
Public Outrage and Broader Issues
The social media reaction was swift. While some users expressed outrage with comments like "speechless" or "disgusting," others pointed out that the problem extends beyond rodents. "And what about the cockroaches and bedbugs? There are plenty," a user stated. Another comment, with a tone of resignation, summed up the sentiment of many: "Nothing surprises me anymore about this country."
This incident isn't an isolated event at this hospital. Since late 2025, Juan Bruno Zayas has faced numerous complaints about unsanitary conditions: broken bathrooms and flooded hallways in the 5D ward in November; a cockroach infestation in the delivery room in December; sewage running beneath patients' beds in the 5B ward in January 2026; and just last month, new images showing bathrooms with rusty toilets, severe humidity, and newspaper used as toilet paper.
Institutional responses have been limited to sporadic donations of mattresses and service relocations, without addressing the underlying structural decay.
Widespread Rodent Problem in Cuban Hospitals
The rodent issue in Cuban hospitals is widespread. In May 2026, rats were reported in the halls of the National Enrique Cabrera Hospital in Havana. Earlier, in February 2025, it was reported that rodents "roam freely" in León Cuervo Rubio Hospital in Pinar del Río. Pests have also been documented in hospitals in Holguín and Contramaestre.
These conditions add another layer of risk: in May 2026, the Ministry of Public Health activated epidemiological surveillance for hantavirus—a disease transmitted by rodents—though it clarified that "no documented presence" of the virus exists in Cuba.
The hospital sanitary crisis is part of a broader collapse of the Cuban healthcare system. The United Nations reported in May 2026 that Cuban hospitals were suspending surgeries due to blackouts and shortages of fuel and supplies. Reports from the same year indicated the system had surgical waiting lists of 96,387 patients, including 11,193 children.
Delayed Meals for Expectant Mothers
Adding to the distress of rats in the Maternity Ward, another complaint emerged last Friday regarding the delayed and inadequate meals provided to pregnant women hospitalized at the Santiago health center.
"A patient informed this page that there was no lunch today, Friday, and food was not served until around 5:26 PM. The source shared a photo of one of the meals served, consisting mainly of rice and ground meat," reported Mayeta Labrada.
"How can a meal served when the afternoon is practically over be called 'lunch'? We are talking about pregnant women admitted to a hospital, some with special nutritional needs..." the reporter remarked. He concluded, "Every new image out of the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Surgical Hospital raises a more uncomfortable question: in what conditions are the pregnant women of Santiago de Cuba truly being cared for?"
Addressing Hospital Sanitation Issues in Cuba
What are the main concerns regarding sanitation at Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital?
The main concerns include the presence of rodents in the Maternity Ward, broken bathrooms, flooded hallways, and cockroach infestations. These issues highlight a lack of hygiene and maintenance in the hospital facilities.
How has the public reacted to the sanitation issues in Cuban hospitals?
The public reaction has been one of outrage and frustration. Many have expressed disgust over social media, while others have noted the broader systemic issues affecting healthcare facilities in Cuba.
What actions have been taken by authorities to address these issues?
Authorities have made limited responses, such as sporadic donations and service relocations, but have not addressed the core structural and sanitation problems within the hospitals.