The Lucía Íñiguez Landín Clinical-Surgical Hospital, the leading healthcare facility in Holguín province, is facing a severe shortage of potable water for its patients. This alarming situation was highlighted in a Facebook post by Reynier H. González, a resident of Báguano municipality.
In a video recorded outside the hospital, González demonstrated the long trek that patients' companions must endure to fetch water—nearly a kilometer to a private well. According to his account, doctors at the hospital admit that the piped water is unsafe for patient consumption.
“There is no drinking water at the clinical-surgical hospital, and patient aides have to travel this distance to a well that has potable water,” González explained in the video.
The well's owners charge local residents, but they waive fees for the families of hospitalized patients, a supportive gesture that González praised as a bright spot in a dire situation he described as neglect.
González was clear in absolving the medical staff of blame. “I can’t stress enough that we don't hold the medical personnel responsible. This should be handled by another administrative sector. Doctors and nurses have specific duties that don’t include this,” he stated in his post.
His sharpest criticism was reserved for the authorities: “We all know who is truly responsible for the poor management and neglect we are experiencing. Meanwhile, the homes of those in charge never lack water or a hearty meal.”
This complaint arises amidst an ongoing water crisis in Holguín since 2025, exacerbated by severe drought, prolonged power outages, and deteriorating pumping infrastructure.
Back in May 2025, over 370,000 residents in the province struggled with water supply issues; in some areas, distribution cycles exceeded 107 days.
By 2026, the situation hadn't improved. Over 229,000 people in Holguín city faced supply cycles longer than a week, with a deficit of 309 liters per second from the required flow, according to local media.
The United Nations warned in February 2026 that more than 80% of Cuba's pumping equipment relies on electricity, making every blackout a direct interruption to the water supply, including in hospitals.
Nationally, nearly 2.7 million Cubans lack regular access to clean water, and the hydraulic system operates with only 37% of the needed fuel.
The Holguín Clinical-Surgical Hospital is not alone in this predicament. The Lenin Hospital in the same city faced similar complaints about dry bathrooms and murky water in August 2025, and the Arnaldo Milián Castro Hospital in Villa Clara went over 72 hours without water in June due to pump turbine failures.
In February 2026, the Holguín Health Directorate suspended all elective surgeries due to the energy crisis, maintaining only urgent and emergency procedures.
González hinted that his Facebook post was just the beginning: “Stay tuned for tomorrow; I'll be sharing an even more challenging situation we’re enduring in the ward.”
FAQs About Holguín Hospital's Water Crisis
Why is there no potable water at the Holguín hospital?
The hospital lacks potable water due to a combination of severe drought, power outages, and poor pumping infrastructure.
How are patients getting drinking water?
Patients' companions have to travel nearly a kilometer to a private well to fetch drinking water.
What measures are being taken to address the water shortage?
Currently, the hospital relies on a well for water, and the situation is being highlighted by residents like Reynier H. González to raise awareness and hopefully prompt action.