Independent Cuban journalist José Luis Tan Estrada has released harrowing photos exposing the severe neglect of patients in Ward A of the Amalia Simoni Hospital in Camagüey.
The images depict patients in a state of extreme physical decline, with visible rib cages. Two individuals lie nearly naked and severely malnourished on uncovered beds.
According to Tan Estrada, those suffering are primarily elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and patients transferred from psychiatric facilities.
"These are individuals who, due to their conditions, are unable to care for themselves or voice their needs when hungry, in need of cleaning, or when left in deplorable conditions for hours," Tan Estrada reported in his exposé.
The journalist highlighted that these patients endure long periods without basic hygiene, unattended and covered in filth. "No one bathes them. No one cleans them. No one feeds them. They are malnourished, swarmed by flies, just lying there," he lamented.
Their diet is nearly nonexistent: "They are given fish full of bones. There's no one to care for them. They are malnourished, naked, and filthy," Tan Estrada described.
History of Neglect and Collapse at Amalia Simoni Hospital
The Amalia Simoni Hospital has been plagued by numerous reports of service breakdowns. In August 2025, destroyed and unsanitary bathrooms were documented. By October of the same year, elderly patients in the geriatrics ward were found without basic hygiene, covered in waste.
In November 2025, the collapse of operating room ceilings forced the suspension of surgeries. By July 2026, a fire in the hospital's generator necessitated the evacuation of newborns to the Pediatric Hospital. That same month, Tan Estrada had already documented the observation ward's mold and structural decay.
"These images are as painful as they are difficult to view. They reveal a staggering reality," Tan Estrada wrote upon sharing his findings.
Understanding the Crisis at Amalia Simoni Hospital
What issues did José Luis Tan Estrada highlight in the Amalia Simoni Hospital?
Tan Estrada highlighted severe neglect, including patients being malnourished, filthy, partially naked, and left unattended in deplorable conditions.
Who are the patients affected by this neglect?
The affected patients include the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those transferred from psychiatric institutions.
What previous issues have been reported at the Amalia Simoni Hospital?
The hospital has faced numerous issues including unsanitary bathrooms, neglected elderly patients, collapsed ceilings in operating rooms, and a fire in the generator.