Relatives of the Cuban Yoan Cruz Traba, a 50-year-old man with psychiatric conditions who was reported missing by his family on June 5, announced this Wednesday that he passed away in a hospital in Havana without the authorities notifying them of the incident.
Yoel Cruz publicly reported on Facebook that his brother disappeared on June 2, and he filed an official report on June 5 at the police station in Aguilera, Santos Suárez, after noticing that Yoan —who was not aggressive and was not under medical treatment— had left the house and did not return.
Since then, he has posted multiple messages on social media and sought help at hospitals and health centers without receiving a response.
Yoel reported that a person from the hospital told him under the condition of anonymity that on June 18, his brother was admitted to Julio Trigo hospital, reportedly transferred from the Center for the Care of the Homeless, in a state of severe malnutrition, with gastroenteritis and a heart complication.
No one, neither from the hospital nor from the police, informed the family of anything at that time or in the days that followed while he remained hospitalized.
On July 4th, while Yoel was donating blood, the police called him to ask if he knew anything about his brother. That same day, which was also Yoan's 50th birthday, he passed away in the hospital.
"I hold Díaz-Canel, the PNR, and the Center for the Homeless responsible for his death. They all knew how to locate me, and no one informed me," Yoel denounced on social media.
The brother of the deceased learned that Yoan had died thanks to his own efforts and persistence, not from the authorities.
It was only on July 21 that he was informed that the deceased had been hospitalized and that his death occurred 17 days prior, he reiterated indignantly.
Yoan Cruz suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and personality disorders, but he was not aggressive and did not pose a danger, despite being without medical treatment due to the lack of medications on the island.
The family claims that had they received timely attention or been informed in due time, this solitary and negligent death could have been avoided.
This case highlights the lack of coordination among Cuban institutions, the invisibility of individuals with mental illnesses, and the absence of effective protocols for notifying family members in critical situations.
"This government does not want us as a people," said Yoel from the Havana cemetery, after finishing his statement.
Frequently Asked Questions about Communication Issues and Negligence in Cuban Hospitals
Why wasn't Yoan Cruz's family informed about his hospitalization and death?
The family of Yoan Cruz was not informed of his hospitalization or his death due to the lack of coordination among Cuban institutions and the absence of effective protocols for notifying relatives in critical situations. Despite the family's efforts to locate him, the authorities did not communicate his condition or his passing.
What problems in the Cuban healthcare system does the case of Yoan Cruz reveal?
The case of Yoan Cruz highlights structural failures in the Cuban health system, such as the invisibility of people with mental illnesses, the lack of communication between hospitals and families, and the ineffectiveness in the care and follow-up of vulnerable patients. Additionally, it underscores the need to improve reporting and care mechanisms to prevent avoidable deaths.
What is the situation of people with mental illnesses in Cuba?
People with mental illnesses in Cuba face a critical situation due to the scarcity of medications and the lack of adequate care. This increases their vulnerability and the risk of disorientation and abandonment. Furthermore, the lack of effective communication between health institutions and families worsens their situation, as evidenced by recent cases of disappearances and unreported deaths.
What measures could be taken to prevent cases like that of Yoan Cruz?
To prevent cases like that of Yoan Cruz, it is essential to implement effective communication and notification protocols between health institutions and families. There is also a need for improvement in monitoring and care for individuals with mental illnesses, ensuring access to medications and appropriate treatment. Furthermore, inter-institutional coordination should be strengthened to guarantee the protection and well-being of these vulnerable patients.
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