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The crisis of the healthcare system in Cuba has once again come to light in an extreme case: a man in Matanzas decided to extract a tooth on his own after failing to find medical attention and enduring frequent blackouts in his area.
According to his post on Facebook, Mayito Rivero, a resident of Cárdenas, shared that after several unsuccessful attempts to get an appointment and with no electricity in the clinics, he made the decision to become his own "dentist."
"I sterilized this clamp, put on some toilet paper, and proceeded to extract my tooth, but everything is fine, thank God," she wrote on Tuesday, accompanying her post with photos of the extracted tooth and the improvised tool.
The testimony quickly went viral, generating dozens of reactions and comments. To the surprise of some users, Rivero explained that he has 34 years of experience as a paramedic and that the piece "was already almost loose," which is why he dared to perform the extraction.
One of his cousins warned him in the comments that he should take antibiotics to avoid an infection.
He responded calmly: "Cousin, everything is fine, remember that we Moreos are strong."
The episode reflects the shortcomings faced by the Cuban population in such a sensitive sector as public health.
In the midst of a lack of resources, power outages, and the bureaucracy involved in securing an appointment, many citizens are forced to improvise solutions that jeopardize their health.
Amid a health crisis that forces citizens to improvise solutions for their health, increasingly alarming episodes have been recorded in the Cuban public system.
Neighbors of a neighborhood in Havana had to bring a generator to the local polyclinic due to the lack of electricity to keep essential medical equipment running.
This fact highlights the fragility of the healthcare infrastructure in Cuba and the absolute dependence of the community to address medical emergencies without state support.
Similar cases have occurred throughout the year. A massive blackout forced the urgent transfer of critically ill patients in several provinces, due to the inability to keep them connected to ventilators or life support systems.
Hospitals, lacking backup generators or sufficient energy support, became high-risk areas for the most vulnerable patients.
Additionally, doctors in Cienfuegos were caught off guard by a general blackout during their shifts, with no option but to interrupt treatments or resort to mobile phone flashlights to continue providing basic care.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Healthcare System Crisis in Cuba
Why did a Cuban decide to pull out a tooth at home?
A Cuban resident in Matanzas decided to extract a tooth on his own due to the lack of medical attention and the constant blackouts in his area. Faced with the impossibility of securing an appointment in the public healthcare system and the lack of electricity in the clinics, the man chose to perform the extraction himself using improvised tools.
What are the main shortcomings of the Cuban healthcare system?
The Cuban healthcare system is facing a severe crisis characterized by the lack of supplies, medications, and specialized personnel. Situations such as hospitals lacking water, shortages of syringes and anesthesia, and patients needing to bring their own medical supplies are common. This crisis is exacerbated by bureaucracy, blackouts, and poor government management.
How does the electricity crisis impact healthcare services in Cuba?
Prolonged blackouts in Cuba severely impact health services by interrupting the operation of medical equipment and the preservation of medications. Hospitals are forced to operate with emergency generators that are not designed for continuous use, which further complicates medical care and increases risks for patients.
What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the health crisis?
The Cuban government has acknowledged an "unprecedented structural crisis" in the healthcare system, but it has blamed the U.S. embargo for the situation. Despite some targeted interventions to address urgent cases, no effective solutions have been implemented to improve access to supplies and medications, nor to ensure an adequate healthcare system for the population.
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