The state-run newspaper Venceremos recently showcased the Capitana Cristina Pérez Pérez maternity home in Guantánamo as a model of comprehensive care for pregnant women. This comes just two weeks after the province reported a shocking infant mortality rate of 14 per 1,000 live births.
The article painted a picture of the facility as a haven of "peace, tranquility, and cleanliness," where expectant mothers enjoy five-course meals, changüí music performances, and even manicure services.
Dr. Yunaisi González Torres, the facility's director, emphasized that patients have access to "all necessary medications, testing reagents, and the ability to conduct studies at each stage of their pregnancy."
Mercedes Milagros Borot Márquez, a 24-year-old expectant mother among the 61 women being cared for at the home, expressed confidence in her experience, stating, "We have a complete guarantee of a successful pregnancy here."
Nevertheless, Borot Márquez highlighted the stark contrast between the institution's conditions and those faced by pregnant women outside its walls, citing long lines for medical appointments, a lack of medications and testing reagents, and the high costs of so-called "mobile pharmacies," raising concerns about the quality of these products.
In contrast, Irislaidis Leyva Rodríguez, another resident, noted, "Here, we have everything, peace, and even more stable electricity service, which rotates every four to six hours," thanks to an emergency generator and solar panels.
This portrayal of ideal conditions arises amid a critical situation for maternal and child healthcare in Guantánamo. By the end of the first eight months of the year, the province's infant mortality rate was 14 deaths per 1,000 live births, surpassing the national average of 9.9 in 2025, the highest in over two decades.
In early September, Yoel Pérez García, the first secretary of the Communist Party in Guantánamo, called for "immediate" measures to address the "unfavorable" state of the Maternal and Child Healthcare Program during a teleconference meeting.
The warning signs were evident earlier too. By May 2025, the province's infant mortality rate had reached 13.94 per 1,000 live births, nearly double the national average at that time.
The Party's political response included urging "the participation and leadership of Party members in the daily operations of Health centers," without announcing concrete material solutions in the report.
This decline in indicators is part of a national healthcare crisis. In July, Vice Prime Minister Eduardo Martínez Díaz acknowledged that health indicators had plummeted to unprecedented levels, with more than 100,000 individuals awaiting surgery, including over 10,000 children.
He also noted a drop in the survival rate for children with cancer from 85% to 65% due to medication shortages.
In August, South Korea and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) donated 213,000 bottles of prenatal supplements for approximately 30,430 pregnant Cuban women, funded by a $1 million donation from the South Korean government.
This international aid contrasts starkly with the image of sufficiency presented by the official newspaper in its description of the maternity home's conditions.
The Ministry of Public Health itself acknowledged in 2025 that Cuba was experiencing "one of the most challenging periods for the Maternal and Child Healthcare Program since its inception."
In this context, the celebration of conditions at a specific center further highlights the gap between the official narrative surrounding care for pregnant women and the harsh realities the province faces.
Understanding Guantánamo's Maternal Healthcare Challenges
What is the current infant mortality rate in Guantánamo?
As of the latest reports, Guantánamo's infant mortality rate is 14 deaths per 1,000 live births, significantly above the national average.
How has the government responded to the healthcare crisis in Guantánamo?
The government's response has included calls for increased involvement of Communist Party members in healthcare centers but lacks concrete material solutions.
What international aid has Cuba received for maternal healthcare?
Cuba received a donation of 213,000 prenatal supplement bottles from South Korea and UNICEF, funded by a $1 million donation from the South Korean government.