Doctor in Cuba on shortages in a hospital: "Not even in the Special Period were there so many shortages"

A Cuban doctor, who has asked to remain anonymous, has sent one to the editorial office of CyberCuba, where he denounces the limitations and shortcomings they suffer in the hospital where he works: a testimony that we copy in full below.

Hello. I am a doctor at the Iluminado Rodríguez Rodríguez Hospital, in Jagüey Grande, province of Matanzas Cuba.

It's been several months since The epidemiological situation of the municipality is very unfavorable, which has created favorable conditions for the development of multiple infectious diseases, being dengue the main health problem that hits us.

In the municipal hospital where I work, we are in charge of medical care for more than 6 locations with a total approximate population of more than 25,000 inhabitants.

In our center we do not have the necessary supplies for a responsible healthcare. For about 2 months we have not had broad-spectrum antibiotics such as Cephalosporins, these being the cornerstone in the treatment of the main causes of hospital admission, limiting the use of antimicrobials only to penicillins, sulfaprin and amikacin, which which has had implications that have cost the lives of many Jagueyans.

The situation is not even close to ending, today 09-22-2019. 6.00 pm. There is no 0.9% physiological saline solution, nor Lactated Ringer's Solution, for the hydration of hospitalized patients.

Currently, around 20 dengue patients are admitted, these being the main treatment they require, since only consistent hydration with these liquids prevents the disastrous consequences of this pathology. Therefore, patients could die today due to the nonexistence of something so simple with an SSF of 0.9%, it is something laughable.

If even that is missing in Cuba, there is nothing more to explain, not only is there a energy crisis so...

I spoke with multiple specialists at our center, mainly with those with extensive experience, and they confirmed that not even in the Special Period was there so much shortage of medical supplies.

At this time, a peripheral vein is canalized with a needle, since it is no secret that trocars have not existed for a long time, and they are administered 5% dextrose. It being totally inefficient and harmful in these cases.

I am not really religious but today I believe that all Cuban doctors will have to ask God to protect an entire people that suffers and deteriorates in silence.

I sincerely believe that the current situation will be eternal.

I do not want to reveal my identity at this moment, the truth is that all Cubans are afraid of the great existing repression on the island.

The statements and opinions expressed in this letter to CiberCuba are the exclusive responsibility of its author. CiberCuba makes its best effort to verify the veracity of the information received but does not give guarantees about it.