Recently, a concerning report has emerged, complete with photographs, highlighting a bedbug infestation at the José Ramón López Tabrane Gynecobstetric Teaching Hospital in Matanzas. Pregnant women at the facility have expressed a preference for sleeping during the day to avoid being bitten at night.
An individual who brought this issue to light shared images with CiberCuba, showing the bugs in various locations within the hospital, commonly known as the Materno de Matanzas. "There are many of them, crawling everywhere. They bite," the complainant shared.
Despite weekly fumigation efforts using permethrin, the infestation remains unabated. According to the complainant, the bedbugs find refuge within the mattresses and reemerge post-treatment.
"When they fumigate, the bugs just crawl along the walls, and at night, they are unbearable, forcing pregnant women to rest during the day," she explained.
This dire situation has led family members to attempt eradicating the pests independently, while expectant mothers resort to storing their belongings in plastic bags to prevent the bedbugs from infiltrating them.
Expressing her frustration, the complainant remarked, "It's outrageous that a woman on the verge of giving birth—or even those not yet at that stage—cannot rest or sleep." She called for the replacement of the infested mattresses and a permanent solution to the problem.
The complainant clarified that she does not hold the medical or nursing staff accountable but rather those responsible for the maintenance and material conditions of the hospital. "This isn't about the embargo or politics. This is about cleanliness!" she asserted.
In addition to the bedbug issue, the hospital reportedly faces elevator malfunctions, forcing new mothers, including those who have undergone cesarean sections, to use the stairs.
Ongoing Issues Highlighted
As far back as June 2026, reports had surfaced about infestations of both bedbugs and cockroaches at the same hospital, alongside blocked bathrooms, water shortages, lack of medical supplies, and elevator problems.
These complaints are not isolated to Matanzas; other medical facilities across Cuba face similar issues. On October 17, it was reported that an 85-year-old lung cancer patient in Camagüey was also unable to sleep due to insect infestations.
The Matanzas complainant finds it particularly contradictory that Cuban authorities express concern over declining birth rates while women endure such conditions during pregnancy and childbirth. "We don't even have the basic conditions in a maternity ward to give birth peacefully, yet they want the population to grow," she questioned.
Addressing the Bedbug Infestation in Cuban Hospitals
What measures has the hospital taken to control the bedbug infestation?
The hospital reportedly conducts weekly fumigations using permethrin to combat the bedbug problem. However, these measures have not been effective in eliminating the infestation completely.
How are patients and their families dealing with the bedbug issue?
Patients and their families are taking matters into their own hands by attempting to eliminate the bedbugs themselves and storing personal items in plastic bags to prevent contamination.
Are there other issues reported at the Matanzas maternity hospital?
Yes, in addition to the bedbug infestation, the hospital faces elevator malfunctions, blocked bathrooms, water shortages, and a lack of medical supplies.