Independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada announced on Thursday the death of a patient he had previously reported to be in extreme neglect within Ward A of the Amalia Simoni Hospital in Camagüey.
Just a day after exposing the dire conditions of two patients abandoned at Amalia Simoni, the family of one of the victims confirmed the tragic news. Details such as the deceased's name or age remain undisclosed.
“I regret to inform you that one of the patients I reported yesterday as being in a state of neglect in Ward A of the Amalia Simoni Hospital has passed away,” Tan Estrada revealed in a video shared on his Facebook page.
According to Tan Estrada's sources, the man originated from the Home for the Physically Challenged in Camagüey and was already in a critical condition upon his admission to the hospital.
"My sources tell me he was in severe physical deterioration when he arrived from the Home for the Physically Challenged in Camagüey," Tan Estrada explained.
The journalist further elaborated that the patient suffered from malnutrition and a severe hepatitis outbreak prevalent in the facility: "Malnourished with a strong hepatitis outbreak present in that institution, unfortunately, he did not survive."
Chronic Neglect in Cuban Healthcare Institutions
The initial report, released on Wednesday, painted a grim picture of systemic negligence within the hospital ward: elderly individuals, disabled persons, and psychiatric patients from various institutions, nearly naked, with ribs protruding and covered in filth. "No one bathes them. No one cleans them. No one feeds them," Tan Estrada had warned.
In October 2025, there were reports of abandoned elderly patients left unattended in Camagüey's provincial hospital. By July 2026, a psychiatric patient from Mayarí collapsed due to malnutrition, highlighting a recurring issue throughout the island.
Understanding Healthcare Negligence in Cuba
What were the conditions reported in Amalia Simoni Hospital?
The hospital was described as having systematic neglect, with patients being left nearly naked, malnourished, and covered in filth, with no proper care provided.
Who confirmed the death of the patient?
The death was confirmed by the family of the deceased and reported by independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada.
What is the broader issue highlighted by this incident?
This incident is part of a broader pattern of neglect within Cuban healthcare institutions, where systemic issues lead to inadequate patient care.