A recent meeting of political leaders in Guantánamo revealed an alarming figure: the infant mortality rate in the province stands at 13.94 per thousand live births, almost double the national average (7.1), a statistic that, rather than being isolated, reveals the deterioration of the healthcare system.
The recent plenary session of the Provincial Committee of the Communist Party also acknowledged other issues related to the sector, such as the “insufficient reserve of doctors in primary care” and “the complaints about the condition of facilities” of the main healthcare institution in the province, the Dr. Agostinho Neto General Teaching Hospital.
The fact that these topics were discussed “in the heat of debate,” as noted by the official newspaper Venceremos, indicates that the situation is concerning, although the media outlet does not specify the reasons for the sharp increase in the indicator.
In January, local authorities celebrated the infant mortality rate of 7.3 in Guantánamo at the end of 2024, down from the 9.0 recorded in 2023. Nationally, the rate stood at 7.1 per thousand live births.
A report from Radio Guantánamo explained that the declining trend, for the second consecutive year, contrasted with the “sharp decrease in births, as only 4,236 deliveries were recorded, more than 1,500 fewer compared to the previous period.”
The newspaper pointed out that "the congenital malformations responsible for mortality among infants under one year remained within the expected rates" in the province, while the main causes were "perinatal conditions, which include a wide range of ailments such as hypertension, preeclampsia, and retroplacental hematoma, among others."
The rise of the indicator to 13.94 per thousand live births suggests a lack of monitoring, control, or investment to sustain what was presented as an improvement, which is clearly fragile or circumstantial.
The most concerning aspect is the political response to this problem: “Encouraging the leadership and participation of Party members in the daily activities of health centers and in the Medical Sciences University, at all levels; strengthening political and ideological work and focusing on the growth of Party membership.”
This strategy by the authorities ignores the material and systemic causes of the problem: the lack of supplies, the deterioration of infrastructure, the migration of medical personnel, the export of healthcare professionals to other countries, and the wear and tear of the public health management model.
Instead of announcing urgent health measures such as increased resources, better equipment, trained personnel, or support for pregnant women, more medications, or dignified attention conditions, the institutional response continues to focus on political formulas that have proven ineffective. The disconnection between diagnosis and solution reveals a management more focused on preserving the party apparatus than on addressing the real needs of the population.
Infant mortality is not an abstract statistic: it represents the lives of newborns lost due to preventable causes. The fact that in 2025 a Cuban province is reporting rates that exceed those of the worst recent years (like 2021), without a clear healthcare strategy, is a sign of collapse.
Cuba reported the lowest infant mortality rate in its history in 2017, with a rate of 4.1 per thousand live births, according to the Ministry of Health. In contrast, the country ended 2021 with a rate of 7.6, the highest in the last 20 years.
In that year, Ciego de Ávila recorded the highest rate in the country, with 13.6 per thousand live births, doubling that of the previous year. This was influenced by low birth weight and prematurity on the morbidity and mortality in the region, primarily associated with hypertension, delayed intrauterine growth, and adolescent pregnancy.
A recent video from the Luis Ramírez López Psychiatric Hospital in Guantánamo showed better than usual conditions in Cuba, but previous reports revealed a lack of equipment, mistreatment, and aggression between patients and caregivers.
In 2022, a alleged medical negligence involving a young Cuban in a coma at the Dr. Agostinho Neto General Teaching Hospital came to light.
In April 2021, two newborn babies died in the very hospital institution, after the neonatal service administered an antibiotic, which also caused severe instability in two other minors.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Child Mortality Crisis in Guantánamo
What is the infant mortality rate in Guantánamo in 2025?
The infant mortality rate in Guantánamo in 2025 is 13.94 per every thousand live births. This value is nearly double the national average in Cuba, which is 7.1. This troubling increase reflects the deterioration of the healthcare system in the province.
What are the causes of the increase in infant mortality in Guantánamo?
The main causes of infant mortality in Guantánamo include perinatal conditions such as hypertension, preeclampsia, and retroplacental hematoma. The lack of monitoring, control, and resources in the healthcare system also contributes to this increase. Furthermore, the government response has focused on political ideology instead of effective health solutions.
How is the Cuban government responding to the issue of infant mortality?
The government response has been more political than practical. The government has focused on encouraging the involvement of the Communist Party's membership in health-related activities and strengthening political and ideological work, rather than providing medical resources, improving hospital equipment, or training healthcare personnel.
What has been the impact of the lack of medical resources in Guantánamo?
The lack of medical resources in Guantánamo has negatively impacted the quality of healthcare. This has led to an increase in infant mortality and complaints about the conditions of the Dr. Agostinho Neto Teaching General Hospital. The shortage of supplies and qualified medical personnel further exacerbates the situation.
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