“It is very satisfying to experience firsthand the demystification that Cuba is a medical powerhouse,” asserts a young man in Peru, after undergoing a general medical examination outside the island.
The young man shared his experience at a medical center in the country through his TikTok account @leo.a.secas8, triggering a wave of comments as he compared the care he received with the reality of the healthcare system on the island.
“Yesterday, for work reasons, I had to undergo a general medical examination and well, everything is fine, everything is perfect, I’m at 100, I’m all set,” begins the young man, identified as @leo.a.secas8. “But I wanted to share that, as a Cuban, it’s the first time I’ve been to a medical facility outside of Cuba, and it gave me a lot, a lot of satisfaction to arrive at a place where they treat you well, where everything is organized, where everything is clean, and where there are supplies.”
Following that, it dismantles one of the most widespread ideas propagated by the official narrative: "Although there is a myth that health care in Cuba is top-notch, that is not the case. In Cuba, there are neither gloves nor syringes as they call them here, nor medicines; the places are unsanitary, the bathrooms do not work, the odor is...".
The video concludes with a powerful statement: “It is very satisfying to experience firsthand the demystification that Cuba is a medical powerhouse. Oh, how we were lied to!”
Mixed reactions: the system or the doctors?
Reactions quickly multiplied, especially on TikTok, where the video generated thousands of comments. Some Cubans and Peruvians agreed with the account: "Thank you for speaking the truth. Many pro-communists here are living in deception," wrote one user. Another person recalled, "When I went to the hospital in Cuba, there were no medications. Luckily, I brought my vials from Peru."
A woman expressed, “It's great that you tell the truth about Cuba; let's see if the reds realize the sad reality.”
Instead, others focused on defending the Cuban medical community. “The issue is not with the doctors; it's with the system. Cuban professionals are very well trained, even without technology,” commented @ramsey, who claimed to be a doctor and Cuban. “You may disagree with a system, but discrediting those who have saved thousands of lives in dozens of countries only highlights the lack of valid arguments,” he added in another reply.
@A little Cuban in Peru, the creator of the video, responded: “There are prepared people and good doctors, but what good is that when there are no resources to attend to patients? We have been taught to romanticize misery by saying that our doctors manage with whatever is available… just like doctors in other places would do if they lacked resources. Let’s be coherent, please, let’s not deceive ourselves any longer.”
The experience is not unique
This testimony adds to a growing narrative of emigrants who, after leaving the country, discover another side of healthcare systems. In Mexico, a Cuban praised the details of the service received at a Salud Digna center, such as the use of new needles and the personalized identification of her samples.
In Spain, another Cuban shared her impression after using public health services for the first time, comparing it to a five-star hotel.
In Chile, a Cuban father showcased the free items he received at the birth of his daughter as part of the state program "Chile Crece Contigo," and stated: “Chile is the best, Cuba is nothing.”
The Deterioration of the Cuban System: Figures and Examples
Far from being an isolated perception, the critical situation of the Cuban healthcare system has even been documented by the official press. An article from the newspaper 5 de Septiembre acknowledged that "our elderly are unprotected and all are vulnerable."
In Guantánamo, the Agostinho Neto provincial hospital has been without elevators for over two weeks, forcing staff to carry patients and even corpses down the stairs.
In Sancti Spíritus, the newspaper Escambray reported that patients must pay up to 70,000 Cuban pesos for radiotherapy, a treatment that should be free of charge.
And in Camagüey, mothers reported deplorable conditions at the Eduardo Agramonte pediatric hospital, including cockroaches, stagnant urine, and dirty utensils.
The Cuban health system, once a symbol of the socialist model of the island, is now being questioned by its own citizens both inside and outside the country. As another user summarized on TikTok: "It's useless to have the best doctors if they don't have the equipment and supplies."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of the Cuban Healthcare System and Experiences Abroad
Is it true that the Cuban healthcare system is deteriorating?
The Cuban healthcare system is facing significant deterioration. Accounts from Cubans who have emigrated and the official press have documented the lack of basic supplies, unsanitary conditions, and the scarcity of medications in hospitals across Cuba. This deterioration contradicts the official narrative that Cuba is a "medical powerhouse."
Why do Cubans who emigrate highlight the quality of healthcare services in other countries?
Cubans who have emigrated to countries like Peru, Mexico, and Spain have experienced more organized, cleaner medical care with better resources compared to Cuba. These testimonies highlight the availability of supplies, digital organization, and the hygiene of healthcare facilities, aspects that starkly contrast with the reality in Cuba.
How does the lack of medical supplies in Cuba affect healthcare?
The lack of medical supplies in Cuba severely hampers healthcare access. Patients must bring their own supplies, such as syringes, and face unsanitary conditions in hospitals. This situation results in limited and precarious medical care, negatively impacting the health of Cubans.
What reactions do these testimonials about Cuban health generate on social media?
Social media reactions are varied, but comments of outrage and support for those denouncing the situation are predominant. Many users express gratitude for bringing attention to the Cuban reality, while others defend the reputation of Cuban doctors, although they agree in criticizing the country's healthcare system.
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