A garbage dump causes an infestation of flies and mice near the Institute of Hematology and Immunology in Vedado

Residents of the Havana neighborhood of El Vedado reported the unsanitary conditions at the corner of 8th and 19th Streets, in El Vedado, an area close to the Institute of Hematology and Immunology, a national reference medical institution.

According to repeated complaints from resident Osmani Medina Guerra, the accumulation of trash in the area has caused an infestation of flies and rodents, which not only directly affects the inhabitants of the area but also poses a serious health risk to patients and staff at the health center.

"Every day worse, filled with mice, vectors that transmit thousands of diseases, not to mention that we are next to the Institute of Hematology and Immunology," stated the internet user in a social media post.

"We, the neighbors, are tired of our houses filled with flies. It's unpleasant to say, but it's the reality we are living," she emphasized. She also showed photos of her living room where flies are resting on the ceiling fan.

The situation, far from being recent, has been reported for months without any visible actions taken by the authorities.

At the beginning of this year, Medina also warned about the negative impact of the removal of garbage bins on the block, which has turned the corner into an improvised dumping ground where waste from even private businesses in the area accumulates.

"The place must prioritize common sense for the health of our people. Here we have this great Institute of Hematology established, as well as a noble community that cares for its surroundings," he wrote last January.

Despite the neighbors' efforts to organize and manage the waste, the lack of systematic collection has led to a situation they describe as a health crisis.

The proliferation of insects and rodents threatens to worsen public health conditions in an environment where vulnerable individuals reside and specialized medical services are provided.

Many neighbors have had to organize themselves to collect the waste, but they claim that processing it is difficult for them.

Several Cubans reacted to the post and are calling for an urgent response from the municipal government of Plaza de la Revolución, as well as from the Community Services, whom they hold responsible for the lack of management and oversight.

This case not only reflects a failure in waste collection, but also highlights deeper structural issues such as urban deterioration, bureaucratic inefficiency and the lack of logistical resources to maintain basic sanitation conditions in densely populated areas with high institutional value.

This is not the first time Medina Guerra has made this complaint. In September 2024 and in January of this year, garbage also buried the mentioned corner.

Frequently Asked Questions about the garbage crisis in El Vedado, Havana