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A pregnant woman nearly lost her life in Matanzas due to a breakdown in the elevator of the José Ramón López Tabrane Gynecological and Obstetric Hospital, the oldest in Cuba.
The official press itself acknowledged that the situation was alarming, as the patient arrived in critical condition due to obstetric hemorrhage and "was on the verge of losing her life because of the lack of an operational elevator" at the hospital.
The official newspaper Girón reported that the Fire Department had to be called to assist in transporting the patient to the intensive care unit.
The firefighters made a risky descent with the patient from the third floor of the hospital. Meanwhile, an ambulance from the Integrated Emergency Medical Services was waiting in the interior courtyard, the media reported.
It adds that the descent operation, along with the medical procedures, took seven long hours, putting both the patient and the baby at risk.
According to the outlet, the elevator has been out of service for months.
The patient had a high-risk pregnancy and suffered a severe obstetric hemorrhage.
When she was finally admitted to intensive care, the woman was intubated, remained on assisted ventilation, and received a blood transfusion.
Dr. Ariel Rodríguez Prado, director of the José Ramón López Tabrane Gyneco-Obstetric Hospital, explained that the cause of this crisis is the obsolescence of the elevators, which have been functioning inadequately for years.
In the specific case of the López Tabrane hospital, the machinery has suffered severe damage that has hindered its regular operation since June 2024.
The hospital had requested the help of the state Mipyme Cometal to repair the elevator, but the situation remains unresolved.
"The elevator experienced continuous failures, ranging from a voltage regulator to the door locks. Despite the efforts, an effective repair has not been achieved," commented Dr. Rodríguez Prado.
The lack of a solution has forced patients with obstetric complications to face the risk of descending the steep stairs of the hospital, an extremely difficult process, especially in critical situations, the newspaper noted.
On the other hand, Dr. Frank Díaz García, a specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, emphasized that such incidents endanger the lives of patients, especially during postoperative periods or after difficult deliveries, when women need to be transported on stretchers.
The José Ramón López Tabrane Hospital, which serves patients from across the province of Matanzas, is a key center for gynecological, obstetric, and neonatal care, offering essential services such as the Neonatology unit and perinatal care.
The story of the patient who nearly lost her life due to the absence of an elevator is just one of many that unfold daily in this hospital, they emphasized.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Hospital Crisis in Matanzas
What happened to the pregnant woman in the hospital in Matanzas?
A pregnant woman nearly lost her life due to an obstetric hemorrhage and the lack of a functioning elevator at the José Ramón López Tabrane Gyneco-Obstetric Hospital. The elevator had been out of service for months, forcing firefighters to make a dangerous descent with the patient from the third floor.
Why aren't the elevators working in the José Ramón López Tabrane hospital?
The hospital elevators are seriously damaged and outdated, which has prevented their regular operation since June 2024. Despite the repair attempts by the state-owned Mipyme Cometal, the problems persist, putting at risk patients who must be moved via stairs.
What impact does the lack of resources have on hospitals in Cuba?
The lack of resources and the deterioration of basic services in Cuban hospitals, such as the shortage of medications and essential equipment, put patients' lives at risk. This situation is exacerbated by structural issues, such as the lack of elevator maintenance and the poor condition of hospital infrastructures.
How does the crisis in the Cuban healthcare system affect patients?
The crisis of the Cuban healthcare system severely impacts patients, who face long waits to receive care, a lack of medications, and inadequate conditions in facilities. Cases like that of the pregnant woman in Matanzas highlight the urgency for effective solutions to improve the healthcare system's conditions in the country.
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