Related videos:
A Cuban mother identified as Yaimara Ricardo Peña urgently sought help through social media for her son, who remains hospitalized at the pediatric hospital of Holguín following surgery for a brain tumor.
According to a post on her Facebook profile, her son urgently needs a medium pressure Ventriculoperitoneal shunt, an essential item to begin oncology treatment. "I am desperate because the child's condition worsens every day," she wrote.
The mother specified that she has no complaints about the medical or nursing staff, but she reported that the issue lies in the lack of distribution of the available valves in the country: "It is not fair that my son loses his life due to the lack of a valve that we know exists in the country, that has arrived but is not being distributed for cases like my child's, who is between life and death."
She also detailed that she has been in the hospital for over three months with her son and that she herself is a cancer patient: "I need crutches to walk because I have breast cancer and I developed a bone metastasis."
"I am asking for help from all sources, anyone who can assist me in this situation, please. It's my son's life. I am desperate," she concluded.
The situation has sparked numerous supportive reactions on social media amid the severe shortage of medical supplies affecting the Cuban healthcare system.
This case joins others that have been recently reported, such as Israel Daniel, a 10-year-old boy from Cárdenas, Matanzas, who was also diagnosed with a brain tumor, which mobilized the Cuban community at the beginning of this year. Thanks to donations and community support, he successfully underwent a high-risk surgery that managed to remove a large part of the tumor.
Before that operation, his family had reported the precarious living conditions they were in and requested help to face the medical process. Ultimately, the solidarity of civil society made it possible to gather resources, food, medicine, and financial support.
Both cases reflect the difficulties faced by many Cuban families with seriously ill children, especially when they rely on scarce or poorly distributed medical supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Health Care System Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation of the healthcare system in Cuba?
The healthcare system in Cuba is facing an unprecedented structural crisis, characterized by a shortage of medical supplies, medications, and specialized personnel. This situation has resulted in poor medical care, forcing many families to seek external help or rely on community solidarity to address the health conditions of their loved ones.
Why do Cuban families turn to social media to seek medical aid?
Cuban families turn to social media due to the lack of responses from the state health system. In light of the shortage of medical supplies and the inefficiency of the system, parents and family members of critically ill patients use digital platforms to raise awareness of their cases and seek support from the national and international community.
What recent cases have highlighted the crisis in the Cuban healthcare system?
Several recent cases, such as that of Yaimara Ricardo Peña, whose son needs a shunt for his oncology treatment, have highlighted the shortcomings of the system. Other examples include the case of Jonathan Rivero Castillo, who is awaiting surgery for a fracture, and Mayelin Valido Tejeda, whose request for a medical device for her son with hydranencephaly has gone unanswered. These cases reflect the deep resource crisis within the Cuban health system.
What impact does the lack of medical supplies have on Cuban patients?
The lack of medical supplies severely impacts the health and quality of life of Cuban patients. Many face long wait times for essential treatments, which deteriorates their condition and, in some cases, puts their lives at risk. The situation forces families to seek alternatives in the black market or turn to international aid.
Filed under: