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An ambulance from the non-emergency service of the Cienfuegos Regional Base collided this Saturday with a dilapidated building in that city, causing alarm among the local residents.
According to reports from the Facebook page 'La Tijera', the accident did not cause any injuries, although there was visible material damage to the vehicle and the building's facade.
The ambulance, belonging to the municipality of Cienfuegos, ended up partially mounted on the sidewalk and embedded in the wall, which quickly attracted a crowd of onlookers to the scene. Witnesses stated that the driver may have lost control, although the exact causes of the accident are still unknown.
Images captured by neighbors show the ambulance with damage to its front and side, and even with the door ajar, exposing its deteriorated interior. In the scene, children and adults are seen inspecting the vehicle, while several residents watched from the windows of the building.
So far, local authorities have not provided an official account of the incident, nor has it been reported whether the ambulance was transporting patients or medical personnel at the time of the collision.
A long chain of accidents involving ambulances
This accident adds to a worrying list of similar incidents in recent months in Cuba. In January of this year, an ambulance was involved in an accident in Matanzas for reasons that are still unclear. In February, another vehicle from the healthcare system collided with a taxi in Cárdenas.
Other recent cases include ambulances wrecked in collisions with trucks, tourist cars, and even a horse-drawn cart. These situations reflect a growing pattern of risk that affects both medical personnel and patients.
Most of these vehicles show obvious signs of wear, lack of maintenance, and age, which increases the likelihood of accidents in a context where Cuban road infrastructure is also in crisis.
The crisis of the ambulance system following the budget cuts
The increasing frequency of accidents involving ambulances coincides with a period of budgetary restructuring by the Cuban regime. According to a note published on January 20 by CiberCuba, the State has begun a "transformational experiment" of the state budget that involves adjustments in social areas, including public health.
This pilot experiment seeks to delegate spending responsibilities at the local level and apply new management formulas. The lack of spare parts, fuel, and specialized technical staff to repair ambulances has severely affected the system's operability. Some municipalities report having only one or two functioning ambulances for the entire population, a number that is insufficient in emergencies.
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