Cuban actor Jorge Losada urgently needs a commode in Havana

The renowned Cuban actor Jorge Losada, who for decades has been a prominent figure in national theater and television, is once again in need of assistance from his loved ones.

At 91 years old, the veteran actor is going through a delicate health phase that has forced him to rely on the community's solidarity to meet his basic care needs.

Luis Lacosta, the art director of the Cuban Institute of Art and Cinematographic Industry (ICAIC) and a close friend of the actor, made an appeal through Facebook, requesting a shower chair for Losada.

According to Lacosta, "the people who are taking care of him find it impossible to keep him in the bathroom," he said, and shared pictures of two chair models that could solve the situation.

For his part, audiovisual producer Michel Vega also shared the request for help on his social media

"Brothers, let’s help this talented actor get this shower chair. According to the girl who takes care of him, she cannot hold him up to bathe him," he explained.

In the post, Vega recalled what Losada has contributed to Cuban culture throughout his career and appealed to the solidarity of the community: "If this post resonates with you and you have a heart, let's help him, as he has given so much for our Cuban culture."

"Everything for healing and eternal life for this wonderful one who needs us today," he emphasized.

Jorge Losada, who in mid-May underwent a new medical examination, has faced multiple health issues in recent years.

His fragile condition, compounded by hospital admissions due to various complications, has highlighted the vulnerability of many Cuban artists who, after dedicating their lives to art, rely on public generosity to access basic care.

On April 30th, he was discharged after being admitted to the Manuel Fajardo University Clinical Surgical Hospital, where he received medical attention for reasons that were not made public.

Lacosta then thanked the hospital staff for their swift intervention: "The actor Jorge Losada is now home. Thanks to Hospital Fajardo and its brilliant and excellent doctors, they resolved the great scare they put us through," he stated.

Previously, he had requested A Positive blood donations, which proved crucial in stabilizing the elderly man.

In recent years, the actor has faced several health challenges.

In April 2024, he was hospitalized due to complications with a hip prosthesis that caused him intense pain, resulting in the need for a wheelchair. Due to a lack of resources and the indifference of institutions, he had to turn once again to social media to obtain one.

The community responded to his call, but the situation remains precarious, and now the artist faces a new urgency due to the lack of a suitable toilet chair.

This is not the first time that director Lacosta has used social media to request assistance on behalf of the actor. In 2021, after a surgery that left Losada with severe anemia, public appeals were also made to obtain medications that are in short supply in Cuba.

This lack of institutional support highlights the disconnect between the Cuban government and the artists who have been a fundamental part of the national culture.

The Cuban actor, despite his delicate health condition, remained active on Cuban television until 2023, when he participated in the soap opera "Renacer," describing that experience as possibly his "final appearance." In his performances, Losada displayed his characteristic sense of humor and affection for the audience, despite the personal adversities he was facing.

The sad paradox: a man who dedicated his life to enriching Cuban culture now finds himself forced to rely on the solidarity of his fellow countrymen to meet basic needs.

Losada's health condition, reflecting a system that does not protect those who have contributed to the art and culture of the country, is yet another indication of the Cuban government's neglect toward its artists.

The call for solidarity from the community only highlights the profound lack of institutional support that, instead of honoring the legacy of these artists, leaves them abandoned in old age, at the mercy of others' charity.

If the regime prides itself on celebrating Cuban culture, it must take responsibility for ensuring the well-being of those who have dedicated their lives to it.

However, the story of Jorge Losada is one of many that illustrate how the Cuban system has repeatedly failed to recognize and protect those who have contributed to the cultural identity of the Island.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of the Cuban Actor Jorge Losada