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A 55-year-old Canadian woman, residing in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, spent approximately 48 hours in a Cuban hospital without being able to communicate adequately with the medical staff, in conditions that her family describes as "concerning," after suffering an accident in Holguín.
The tourist, identified as Sylvie Beauchesne, had traveled alone to Cuba to enjoy a few days of relaxation. However, two days before her return to Quebec, she fell after losing her balance while exiting the pool at her hotel in Holguín, as reported by the Canadian press.
The fall caused her to fracture her hip. As a result, she was left paralyzed on her right side.
The tourist told her family that the ambulance took an hour to arrive and the transfer to the hospital took another two hours.
Once admitted, she found herself without her belongings, without clothes, and without money, which further worsened her situation.
Since she was hospitalized on Friday, communication with her family has been complicated.
His family, desperate, reported the lack of adequate medical care and the obstacles to his repatriation to Canada.
Her daughter, Marika Sirois, expressed her frustration through a social media post where she denounced the lack of information and her mother's difficulty in understanding the medical staff.
"I didn't understand what they were saying to him, which makes everything even more difficult," he wrote.
Furthermore, according to her daughter, the care she received was insufficient. Sylvie Beauchesne was medicated several times a day, with no information provided about what substance was being administered to her.
During a video call, Marika noticed that her mother looked swollen and dehydrated, and she reported that she was only allowed to eat two slices of tomato per meal.
Delays in repatriation and lack of support from the insurer
Since the onset of the crisis, his daughters, Marika Sirois and Roxane Beauchesne, have unsuccessfully tried to expedite his repatriation to Quebec.
According to reports, the insurance company did not cooperate immediately, and it took them several attempts to get a clear response.
Finally, this Sunday afternoon, the insurance company confirmed that the transfer of Sylvie to Canada would be arranged using an air ambulance.
However, the necessary authorizations to proceed with the transfer could take up to 48 hours. In the meantime, the company advised Cuban doctors to avoid performing the surgery on the island and to wait until her arrival in Quebec for the operation.
Despite the delay in repatriation, Sylvie Beauchesne's situation began to improve thanks to the assistance of compassionate individuals in Cuba.
After her case was shared on social media, several Cuban citizens went to the hospital to offer their support. A French-speaking resident found her and brought her food and water, as the woman had not been properly fed for three days.
Roxane Beauchesne expressed her relief at the mobilization of the community: "People brought blankets, clothes, and food. That reassures us."
Returning home after days of uncertainty
Finally, the repatriation of Sylvie Beauchesne was confirmed for Monday afternoon.
Her departure was scheduled for 1:00 PM on an air ambulance bound for Montreal, from where she would be transferred by ambulance to Trois-Rivières. Her arrival in the city was expected at 10:00 PM the same day.
Despite the solution, the family remains concerned about Sylvie's health and the complications that could arise due to the prolonged wait for specialized care.
"Everything can be resolved when we arrive in Quebec with doctors who understand us," declared her daughter Roxane.
On the other hand, the family is also working on recovering Sylvie's luggage, which was left at the hotel where she was staying in Holguín. At the time of her transfer to the hospital, she was only wearing the bathing suit she had on while at the pool.
This is not the first case in recent years of a tourist experiencing a medical emergency in Cuba reporting inadequate treatment.
Frequently asked questions about medical care for tourists in Cuba and the healthcare system crisis
What was the experience of the Canadian tourist Sylvie Beauchesne when receiving medical care in Cuba?
Sylvie Beauchesne faced a series of difficulties after suffering an accident in Cuba. She was hospitalized for a hip fracture and experienced communication problems with the medical staff, a lack of information about her treatment, and poor conditions during her stay in the hospital.
What specific problems do tourists face in Cuba due to the healthcare system?
Tourists in Cuba face difficulties in obtaining adequate medical attention due to a shortage of medications, delays in transportation to hospitals, and a lack of resources in medical centers. Furthermore, communication with medical staff can be challenging, exacerbating the situation for foreign patients.
How does the crisis in the Cuban healthcare system affect tourism?
The crisis of the Cuban healthcare system negatively impacts tourism by tarnishing Cuba's image as a safe destination. Reports of tourists affected by the lack of medical care create a barrier to attracting visitors, jeopardizing a vital sector of the country's economy.
How was the situation of Sylvie Beauchesne resolved?
Finally, Sylvie Beauchesne was repatriated to Canada on a medical evacuation flight, after receiving assistance from compassionate individuals in Cuba. Her family managed to arrange her transfer despite the delays and initial lack of cooperation from the insurance company.
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