Alex Romano, a healthy baby just two months old, passed away early Wednesday morning at the Northern Children's Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, known as "La Ondi," after developing complications just hours after receiving a vaccination at the José Martí Polyclinic.
His family claims medical negligence and demands justice.
A shocking accusation
The tragedy occurred in the José Martí District, where the child lived with his family.
On the morning of this Tuesday, as part of the regular childhood vaccination schedule, Alex was taken by his parents to the local polyclinic to receive the vaccines appropriate for his age.
What was supposed to be a routine visit ended, according to the family's complaint, in a nightmare.
The complaint was made directly by a minor relative of the independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta, who has been the spokesperson for the case through his digital platforms.
"The doctor couldn't find the vein and they pricked his little leg a lot. When he got home, he wouldn't stop bleeding," reported the family source.
First symptoms after the vaccine
After receiving the injection, the baby was taken back home.
However, the persistent bleeding and inconsolable crying raised alarms among his caregivers. Concerned about his condition, they transferred him that very afternoon to the North Children's Hospital.
There, after being examined by the medical staff, they assured them that "everything was fine" and decided to send them back home. However, the situation worsened as the hours passed.
"At 9 PM, they returned to La Ondi with the child because he was crying a lot and could hardly breathe. According to what we were told, the child went into cardiac arrest and died just before midnight," the source detailed.
A night of despair and a tragic ending
Despite efforts to save him, little Alex passed away after midnight. The preliminary cause identified by the medical staff was an alleged "cardiac respiratory arrest," although his loved ones believe it may have been related to a mishandling in the administration of the vaccine.
Neighbors, friends, and acquaintances of the family describe the child on social media as a healthy and thriving young boy.
"What they thought would be a normal day to vaccinate Alex Romano for his two months turned into a tragic day of endless rounds in hospitals, culminating in the terrible death of an infant," Mayeta summarized.
Photography raises alarms
One of the most striking elements of the report is a photograph shared by Mayeta Labrada. The image shows the infant with a large bruise of dark coloration in the groin area, near the upper thigh.
This injury has caused alarm and sparked intense debate among health professionals, users, and concerned mothers, as the affected area does not match the commonly recommended sites for intramuscular injections.
Different voices reacted with a mix of indignation, pain, and calls for medical accountability.
The opinions focused on two points: the incorrect anatomical localization of the procedure and the apparent lack of preparation of the personnel involved.
"Vaccines are not administered there, my God! This madness has to have consequences"; "It should be given in the middle third of the thigh, on the outer side. When puncturing, you need to aspirate to avoid injecting into a blood vessel"; "That wasn't a vaccine; what they did there was withdraw blood for analysis from the femoral vein"; "Not even a femoral blood draw should cause such a dark bruise. That baby must have suffered a lot," were some comments from healthcare personnel.
The statements reflected a strong demand for justice and transparency regarding the incident. Those who voiced their opinions agreed that the visible injury is not consistent with proper medical practice, whether for vaccination or blood draw.
The mother decided to have an autopsy performed to determine the cause of her son's death and to file a complaint against the doctor who works at the José Martí Polyclinic and who, allegedly, may be responsible for the pupil's death," the complaint concludes.
The body of little Alex was mourned this Wednesday at the Santiago Funeral Home, inside a small white casket, while his closest family seeks answers.
As of the closing of this note, health authorities in the province have not commented on the case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alleged Medical Malpractice in Santiago de Cuba
What happened to Alex Romano at the Northern Children's Hospital in Santiago de Cuba?
Alex Romano, a two-month-old baby, passed away following complications from a vaccination at the José Martí Polyclinic. His family alleges medical negligence, as the baby exhibited persistent bleeding after being vaccinated and died due to cardiac arrest in the hospital.
Why does Alex Romano's family believe there was medical negligence?
The family claims that the improper administration of the vaccine and the subsequent lack of adequate care led to the baby's death. They report that the medical staff did not timely recognize the severity of the complications following the vaccination and that the visible injury on the infant is not consistent with proper medical practices.
What has been the reaction of the community and the health environment to the case of Alex Romano?
The community has reacted with outrage and sorrow, demanding justice and transparency. Debates have emerged regarding the proper anatomical localization of the procedure and the apparent lack of preparedness of the medical staff. The case has sparked a strong demand for medical accountability and a call to review clinical practices in the country.
Are there any recent cases of alleged medical negligence in Cuba?
Yes, multiple cases of alleged medical negligence have been reported in Cuba, such as one involving a baby in Bayamo and another in Sancti Spíritus. Both cases involve accusations of poor medical care and have sparked an increasing number of complaints on social media about the lack of transparency and efficiency in the Cuban healthcare system.
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