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A tragic accident that occurred on Thursday at the dangerous Téneme curve, on the Mayarí–Moa highway in the province of Holguín, has once again highlighted the dramatic vulnerability of Cubans when facing a medical emergency.
In the accident, which involved a private vehicle with seven occupants, several passengers were injured, including two minors. Among the injured is Doreykis Pineda Patiño, who underwent surgery at the Moa Hospital and is currently in intensive care.
His condition is complicated by a congenital thrombopathy that urgently requires tranexamic acid in ampoules, a medication that, according to his mother, is not available in the hospital.
“Please, I ask anyone who can help me; it has to be in ampoule. He is in intensive care,” wrote a desperate Bertha María Patiño Aguilera on social media. Her son and Doreykis's brother also offered to pay “whatever it takes” to obtain the medication.
The scene reflects a painful reality, while the Cuban government assures that the healthcare system has the resources to care for the population, in practice, patients and their families are forced to make appeals on Facebook to obtain basic medications, even in life-or-death situations.
The accident also left other individuals seriously injured, including Annia Inojosa Leyva, a resident of Moa, with a pelvic fracture and head trauma; as well as Fela Elisa Martínez Romero, a 10-year-old girl from Bayamo, and Nanda Lorena Fonseca Martínez, aged 16, also from Moa.
Despite the fact that municipal authorities visited the hospital and the Ministry of the Interior is investigating the causes of the incident, the real urgency is to obtain the tranexamic acid immediately that could save Doreykis's life.
If someone in Cuba has access to tranexamic acid in ampoules, they can contact the family through the posts made on Facebook by Juan José Pineda Patiño, his brother.
The dangerous Mayarí–Moa road has been the scene of multiple accidents in recent months, but the combination of unsafe roads, a healthcare system lacking supplies, and the need to rely on citizen solidarity turns each tragedy into a race against time and scarcity.
Frequently asked questions about the health crisis in Cuba and the accident in Mayarí
What happened in the Mayarí accident?
The accident on the Mayarí–Moa road involved a private vehicle with seven occupants, resulting in several passengers being injured, including two minors. The Téneme curve, where the accident occurred, is known for its danger. The incident has once again highlighted the precariousness of the Cuban healthcare system in dealing with medical emergencies.
Why is Doreykis Pineda Patiño's family asking for help?
Doreykis Pineda Patiño urgently needs tranexamic acid in ampoules due to a congenital thrombopathy. Her mother has sought help on social media as the medication is not available at the hospital where she is admitted, highlighting the scarcity of medical resources in Cuba.
How does the current situation of the healthcare system in Cuba reflect after the accident?
The accident highlights the shortage of medications and medical supplies in Cuba, forcing families to seek external help for emergencies. Despite the government's claims of having resources, the reality reveals a dependence on community solidarity to obtain basic medications.
What actions are being taken to prevent accidents on the Mayarí–Moa road?
Despite efforts to investigate the causes of accidents, the Mayarí–Moa road remains a dangerous stretch without significant improvements in its safety. This underscores the need for more effective actions to prevent future incidents.
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