The Rosa Elena Simeón Negrín Comprehensive Teaching Polyclinic in Bejucal, located in the Mayabeque province, is facing a significant issue with overflowing waste containers. The micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) tasked with waste removal is stalled, awaiting crucial documentation to proceed.
Pedro Luis González Acevedo brought attention to the matter on Facebook, sharing an image depicting two overfilled industrial green containers marked with the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) initials. Cardboard boxes and various debris litter the ground beneath a zinc roof.
González emphasized that the root of the problem lies not in resource scarcity but in bureaucratic obstacles. The MSME responsible for waste collection has been unable to act because its manager, known as "Batista," is still waiting for an authorization that remains elusive.
"There is no longer space in Public Health facilities to dispose of more solid waste," González wrote, noting that the clinic generates waste of all kinds, including biological, sharp, and common trash.
He further criticized the lack of response to the waste buildup, suggesting that a recent official visit to the National Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Bejucal could have noted the situation if it had passed by the clinic. His comments highlighted the selective attention given to spaces during institutional tours.
The post sparked reactions pointing out similar waste accumulation issues elsewhere in the community. A local resident described the trash piles at the corners of 7th and 24th streets as revolting, while another warned of the dangers posed to those scavenging through potentially hazardous materials.
Additional comments targeted President Miguel Díaz-Canel and the sanitized appearances presented during official visits. "This is what they should show Canel, not the freshly painted stop," one user remarked.
"The garbage is overwhelming us, leading to numerous health issues," another neighbor lamented. A resident summed up the broader critique by stating, "All of Cuba is suffering from a chronic and deadly illness."
Back in August, Cuban poet and improviser Juan Carlos García Guridi reported micro-dumps on every corner in the same area, just a block from the Communist Party's municipal headquarters.
This pattern is echoed across the island. In March, Guanabacoa residents reported trash burning near a clinic, and just last week, citizens documented the growth of an ad hoc dumpsite near Holguín's Lenin Hospital.
Similarly, in October 2024, a clinic in Vedado was surrounded by sewage and waste for weeks. In September, MINSAP acknowledged a rise in contagious diseases amid challenges with water supply and treatment, environmental sanitation issues, waste accumulation, and limitations in combating the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Understanding Waste Management Challenges in Cuba
What is causing the waste accumulation at the Bejucal clinic?
The waste buildup is primarily due to bureaucratic delays. The MSME responsible for removing the waste has been unable to do so because they are waiting for necessary authorization that has not yet been issued.
How has the local community reacted to the waste issue?
Residents have expressed frustration and concern over the health risks posed by the accumulating waste. Some have criticized the government for focusing more on appearances during official visits rather than addressing real issues.
Has this issue affected other areas in Cuba?
Yes, similar waste management issues have been reported across Cuba, including in Guanabacoa and near Holguín's Lenin Hospital, indicating a widespread problem.