A report shared on the internet has shocked Cubans both on the island and abroad: Darielah Delgado, a young woman of just 20 years, claims to have been the victim of serious medical negligence at the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Provincial Hospital in Bayamo, which left her without a uterus after a poorly performed dilation and curettage procedure.
The testimony, published by exiled doctor Alexander Jesús Figueredo Izaguirre on his Facebook wall, recounts a series of events that, according to the young woman, began on February 10, when she was admitted to terminate a pregnancy due to congenital malformations of the fetus.
Three days later, on February 13, she was taken to the operating room at 8:00 AM to induce labor. At 12:30 PM, she delivered the fetus, but what followed was a medical nightmare.
According to Darielah, the on-duty doctor had to go find the physician responsible for removing the fetus, who was distracted using her mobile phone. When she finally arrived, the professional left the remains visible to the patient, causing her an anxiety attack.
"Thanks to a doctor named Isandro who helped me that day," the young woman mentioned, making a positive exception in an otherwise traumatic experience.
After the induction, a doctor informed her that she would perform a "cleaning." Darielah agreed, unaware that it was a dilation and curettage procedure without general anesthesia, which she describes as torture. "I kept saying: 'Doctor, stop,' and she didn't stop until she was finished," she wrote on her Facebook.
The true severity of the case became evident during her recovery period. Around 4:00 a.m., a nurse who was examining her pressed on her abdomen and a massive hemorrhage began.
"The dilation had perforated me and caused internal bleeding," she detailed.
The young woman was urgently transferred to intensive care. Her hemoglobin dropped to critical levels—only 3 grams per deciliter—and she required three blood transfusions.
"I was critically ill, on the brink of death," he added.
Finally, the doctors performed a total hysterectomy to save her life, a procedure that left Darielah without a uterus and, therefore, without the possibility of having children in the future.
In her heart-wrenching message, the young woman demands justice not just for herself, but for similar cases that, according to her experience and that of activists like Figueredo Izaguirre, occur frequently in that hospital without any disciplinary or legal actions being taken against those responsible.
"How many more have to go through this?" the doctor asks in his text. "Here is a 20-year-old young woman who left without a uterus, physically and emotionally shattered, due to a chain of medical negligence that could have been avoided."
"And do you know what the worst part is? That this is just another case in the endless list of mistakes, mistreatments, and medical crimes committed in that hospital, while those responsible remain unpunished, justifying themselves on camera and distorting the truth," he concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions about Medical Negligence in Cuba
What happened to Darielah Delgado at the Bayamo hospital?
Darielah Delgado was a victim of medical negligence at the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Provincial Hospital in Bayamo, where a poorly executed curettage procedure caused her a perforation and internal bleeding, resulting in a total hysterectomy that prevents her from having children in the future.
What is the current state of the healthcare system in Cuba?
The health system in Cuba is facing a severe crisis characterized by a lack of resources, medications, and specialized personnel. These issues have led to numerous reports of medical negligence, inadequate care, and unsanitary conditions in hospitals.
What impact do social media have on medical complaints in Cuba?
Social media is a crucial tool for Cuban citizens to report cases of medical negligence and the crisis in the healthcare system. Through these platforms, these critical situations are brought to light and pressure is exerted to seek solutions.
How does the Cuban government respond to allegations of medical negligence?
The Cuban government tends to respond to allegations of medical negligence with denials and discrediting of the complainants, without providing concrete solutions or thoroughly investigating the reported cases. This generates distrust and frustration among the affected population.
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