While Democratic Socialists in the U.S. and the leftist media continue lauding communist Cuba’s healthcare system as a model for the world, the Cuban people are suffering the reality of healthcare under the Castro dictatorship. A hospital in Santiago de Cuba, the second-largest city on the island, is on the verge of collapse, unable to provide basic care or medicine amidst worsening hygienic conditions.
Amid a worsening health crisis on the island, Cubans are reporting the deplorable conditions and lack of resources at the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, which is struggling to handle the influx of patients. Journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada posted images on his Facebook page sent by one of those affected by the situation.
The individual, who requested anonymity, recounted that a family member arrived at the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital with shortness of breath, but there were no oxygen tanks available as they were reserved for severe cases. They also described the observation ward as being overrun, filled with flies, and lacking beds and air conditioning, despite the ongoing Oropouche fever and dengue outbreaks in the region.
“It is heartbreaking to see everything in such a dilapidated state, the immense filth in that hospital, and the complete lack of resources for us. It’s all a facade. May God protect us from diseases,” commented a local resident.
Despite these complaints, Manuel Falcón Hernández, the provincial governor, boasted on Facebook about the renovation of the emergency service facilities at the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital. According to Falcón, this construction work will “provide a more comfortable and functional space for patients requiring medical attention.”
However, a nurse consulted by CiberCuba, who also wished to remain anonymous, explained that they are currently forced to use washed gloves that are not sterilized. She mentioned that she has even seen doctors performing procedures without gloves due to the shortage of this essential supply.
“There are no cephalosporins or meropenem, two of the most important antibiotics. At the moment, there is neither dipyrone nor diclofenac. We are also lacking gastric protectors,” she stated, emphasizing that while renovations are important, so are these medications.
The Castro regime and its defenders will blame this on U.S. sanctions. However, these same people are unable to explain how sanctions don’t stop the Cuban dictatorship from building luxury apartheid resorts for foreign tourists stocked with the finest goods but stop them from providing the most basic care to the Cuban people. The answer is obvious. This is socialism in action.
The usual suspects still think things in Cuba are as they should be, or at least better than they would if the “revolution” had never happened. That is total BS, but then again, the usual suspects are full of it.