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A fire that broke out this Monday at the "Amalia Simoni Argilagos" Provincial Clinical Surgical Teaching Hospital in Camagüey forced the urgent transfer of critically ill patients to another healthcare facility in the city.
The fire started around 9 a.m. in the generator transformer of the hospital, due to an electrical overload, reported the medical center's management in a statement shared on social media.
Three critically ill patients were evacuated to the “Manuel Ascunce Domenech” Provincial Hospital in the city itself.
The transfer was carried out with "absolute success, without any incidents, while prioritizing the integrity of our patients at all times," stated in the official note Dr. Lilianny María Hidalgo Ruiz, the general director of the "Amalia Simoni" hospital.
"Action was taken swiftly and decisively," and teams from the Fire Department, the Electric Company, and the General Directorate of Health promptly responded to the institution, the source stated.
The fire was brought under control, and the electricity supply was restored in less than three hours, which Hidalgo Ruiz described as "a record time."
The hospital management asserted that "the situation is under control" and all systems are functioning "completely normally."
The incident had been reported hours earlier through posts on Facebook. Before the hospital made any statement regarding the event, independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada confirmed the transfer of seriously ill patients to another medical facility due to the fire.
In the comments on his post, several people expressed their concern about the obsolescence and increasing deterioration of the generators in hospitals across Cuba, due to years of overuse caused by the almost constant blackouts in the country.
"All those generators are hanging by a thread," pointed out Tan Estrada in response to one of his followers.
A user recalled that "these are equipment meant for emergency use, not for continuous exploitation for so many years as they have been subjected to, especially without receiving the proper maintenance. That equipment can no longer perform; that’s why, among other reasons, urgent changes are needed to prevent everything from completely collapsing."
The Cuban regime began importing generators at the start of this century in an effort to alleviate the energy crisis. However, over the years, the chronic problems of the national electrical system, the lack of maintenance and replacements, have led these units to show significant deterioration and suffer breakdowns that hinder their proper functioning in vital facilities, such as hospitals.
The incident this Monday occurs in a very tense context, with the country on the brink of an energy collapse, following a week marked by a general blackout lasting several days, which followed another in the eastern region.
Constant breakdowns at thermal power plants keep the National Electric System (SEN) in a state of persistent instability. The Electric Union (UNE) reported that on the previous day there were service disruptions throughout the entire day, with a generation deficit that reached 1,981 MW during peak demand hours.
Far from improving, the forecast for this Monday suggests a situation as dramatic, if not more so, than the previous day, with blackouts that will also exceed 1,900 MW during peak hours.
The population is at its limit, frustrated and outraged by the energy crisis, the shortage of food and other essential products, and the deterioration of basic services.
The frustration is reflected in protests like those in Gibara, Holguín, in the early hours of Sunday, when residents took to the dark streets with pots and flashlights to demand that authorities address the urgent needs of the community.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fire at the Camagüey Hospital and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What were the causes of the fire at the "Amalia Simoni" Hospital in Camagüey?
The fire originated in the generator's transformer at the hospital due to an electrical overload, which necessitated transferring critically ill patients to a nearby hospital.
How was the evacuation of critical patients handled during the fire?
The evacuation of the three critically ill patients was successfully carried out to the "Manuel Ascunce Domenech" Provincial Hospital. No incidents were reported during the transfer, and the integrity of the patients was prioritized at all times.
What is the current situation of the electrical system in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a severe energy crisis, with chronic shortfalls in the national electrical system. The issues include prolonged blackouts, outdated generators, and a lack of maintenance, which exacerbates the situation for essential services such as hospitals.
What problems do Cuban hospitals face due to the energy crisis?
Hospitals in Cuba experience frequent power outages that impact their operational capacity. The lack of electricity and the deterioration of backup equipment force the suspension of surgeries and require the transfer of critical patients to other facilities with better conditions.
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