The University Pediatric Hospital of Centro Habana issued an official statement in response to a complaint regarding an alleged illegal sale of medications in one of its hospital wards.
The complaint was filed by Omar Martínez, the father of a hospitalized patient, who claimed to have received an audio from the child's mother in which she mentioned the possibility of buying medications from a nurse at the institution.
According to the statement issued by the hospital, Martínez "referred to an alleged sale of services (medications) in a hospital room, presenting an audio where the mother of his child admitted to our institution tells the child's father (the complainant) that the nurse can sell him 15 vials of Cefazolin and 5 vials of hydrocortisone."
In response to this complaint, the hospital director, Dr. Erelis Verona Ibañez, exercising her authority under article 59, subsection c) of the General Regulation of Hospitals, established an investigation committee to address the case.
The commission, composed of "six esteemed workers" and presided over by the director, had a period of 30 working days to conduct a thorough review of the facts.
According to the hospital's version, during the investigation, the child's mother was interviewed in the presence of the center's officials.
In her testimony, the woman acknowledged having called the father of her child to ask for financial help in a moment of "desperation and anxiety," with the aim of requesting hospital discharge and continuing treatment at home.
"It states that she intended to speak with the nurse, but never did; it also claims that she has no complaints about the medical care received," says the official note, which does not clarify whether the meaning of "speak with the nurse" is that the mother intended to suggest the purchase of medications, but did not do so.
The hospital added that the commission carried out a series of checks, including the review of Instruction 206, which regulates the "Procedures for the Review of Food, Medication, Fixed Funds, and Maintenance Materials Consumption".
As a result, it was concluded that "there were no shortages or surpluses of Cefazolin or Hydrocortisone in the service."
Finally, the institution declared "The complaint presented is unfounded," making it clear that no evidence was found to support the claims of the reporting father.
The hospital stated that the response to the complaint is available for the interested party to pick up and expressed regret that the patient's father had shared the events on social media before receiving the official response.
"The response would have been delivered privately, as every parent has the right, but considering that the child's father has disclosed the facts on social media, according to his own interpretation, without being justified in doing so, a response is made on digital social networks," the statement added.
The minor has been discharged after a satisfactory progress and is under follow-up until complete recovery.
The University Pediatric Hospital of Centro Habana concluded by stating that it "reaffirms its commitment to the health of its patients and to transparency in the management of its services," urging the families of patients to channel any complaints or concerns through the official mechanisms of the institution.
In recent years, there have been recurring and increasing reports about the sale of supplies and medications in Cuban hospitals, a situation that reflects the deterioration of the public health system on the island due to the scarcity of resources.
Patients and families have expressed on several occasions how, due to the lack of medications and basic materials, some health workers allegedly resort to the illegal sale of these products within the hospital facilities.
Although the Cuban government has repeatedly denied these accusations and has opened investigations similar to that of the Centro Habana Pediatric University Hospital, discontent among the population continues to grow, generating distrust in the quality and accessibility of the healthcare system.
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