Ambulance accident in Matanzas highlights the dangers of a polished concrete street

An ambulance was involved in an accident on the dangerous Contreras street, between San Carlos and Mujica, in the city of Matanzas.

The accident occurred this Tuesday. The ambulance was heading to the Faustino Pérez Provincial Hospital and had to ascend this steep street. The vehicle slipped on the polished concrete pavement and ended up crashing into the front of a house. There was no significant material damage, nor any human casualties.

The slippery surface of polished concrete, combined with the constant flow of vehicles and the accumulation of grease on the pavement, are recurring risk factors on this road.

On social media, several users expressed their concern. “It was to be expected that things like this would happen on that street. I don't know who thought it would be a good idea to pour polished cement there,” commented one user.

Another person lamented that, given the scarcity of ambulances in the city, this vehicle will likely be out of service for an extended period.

One of the witnesses added that the ambulance involved was newly acquired in the province and was transporting a patient at the time of the accident.

This incident has revived the debate over road conditions in Matanzas and traffic safety. Many citizens are demanding an immediate solution to this problem, as the characteristics of the pavement make it "prone to daily accidents."

Ambulance shortages in Cuba

During the year 2024, the ambulance crisis in Cuba has highlighted the precariousness of the healthcare system.

In March, a particular case highlighted the severity of the problem. A patient at the Joaquín Albarrán Surgical Clinical Hospital, in Havana, spent more than two days waiting for an ambulance to transfer him to another facility for a CT scan.

This delay not only worsened her health condition but also highlighted the shortcomings of the public system, from the lack of vehicles to the absence of adequate conditions in the facilities.

In 2024, the government promoted a contract with the company MCV Comercial S.A., the authorized distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Cuba, to acquire ambulances.

This agreement involved the initial management of 15 ambulances in Havana, following a model whereby the company would assume responsibility for the maintenance, repair, and operation of the vehicles. The Ministry of Public Health stated that the strategy aims to improve the sustainability of the service. However, the changes are not evident.

Frequently Asked Questions about the ambulance accident in Matanzas and the transportation crisis in Cuba