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The Psychiatric Hospital of Camagüey is once again at the center of controversy following a report by independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada, who described a scene of beatings, hunger, and neglect at the health facility.
The images and testimonies released reveal that vulnerable patients are being mistreated, tied up for hours, and subjected to a minimal and degrading diet, while the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) remains indifferent to the crisis.
According to Tan Estrada, the patients receive only two spoonfuls of rice, occasional root vegetables, and broths made with bones, without access to proteins.
That poor diet has led to cases of severe malnutrition and a rapid deterioration in the health of the inmates.
This is compounded by the chronic shortage of medications, which not only hinders adequate treatments but also leads to patients being restrained through violence or tied up for hours in times of crisis.
"When patients experience crises or become 'unruly,' instead of receiving appropriate care, they are beaten or tied up for almost the entire day to avoid 'disruptions' to the nursing and assistance staff," the information specifies.
The photos shared on Facebook show an elderly woman nude, another with a bruise on her face, a patient barefoot in the dining area, and another trying to eat a watery soup.
Hospital workers stated that medications often "disappear" from the pharmacy and do not reach the patients, even though the institution's management is aware of the situation.
A pattern of negligence
What has been reported is not an isolated incident.
In July, residents of Avenida de los Mártires alerted about a35-year-old patient with a history of violence who, after leaving the hospital, was out of control without receiving the appropriate treatment. Despite repeated calls to the Police and the MINSAP, no institution activated emergency protocols.
In October 2024, the Cuban Yasmín González León exposed on social media that her brother with mental disorders was suffering from a lack of medication and was being treated in a hospital with rusty beds and poor sanitary conditions.
He reported that the system seemed more concerned with hiding these realities on social media than with ensuring dignified medical care.
The deterioration has been ongoing for years. In March of that same year, the portal CubaNet published images of patients undergoing electroshock and restrained due to the lack of medications.
A public health failure
Recent cases confirm a systematic institutional abandonment.
The MINSAP has allowed poor and sick individuals who require specialized care to live in inhumane conditions, subjected to violence, hunger, and mistreatment.
The psychiatric crisis is merely a reflection of the broader collapse of the healthcare system on the Island, which has lost all ability to ensure basic care for its citizens.
In the case of patients with mental illnesses, state abandonment results in a double punishment: they suffer from the disease and the contempt of the institutions that are supposed to protect them.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Crisis at the Camagüey Psychiatric Hospital
What is the current situation at the Camagüey Psychiatric Hospital?
The Camagüey Psychiatric Hospital is facing a humanitarian crisis, with reports of beatings and abandonment of patients, who are mistreated, restrained for hours, and subjected to a minimal and undignified diet. The lack of medications and the use of violence as a method of control exacerbate the situation.
How does the lack of medication affect psychiatric patients in Cuba?
The shortage of essential psychiatric medications in Cuba prevents proper treatment for patients, leading to a deterioration of their mental and physical health. In the absence of medications, violent methods are resorted to in order to control patients in crisis.
How does the Cuban government respond to reports of mistreatment in psychiatric hospitals?
The Cuban government and the Ministry of Public Health have demonstrated an attitude of indifference towards allegations of mistreatment and neglect in psychiatric hospitals. No effective measures have been implemented to address the mental health crisis or to improve the conditions of patients.
What other psychiatric institutions in Cuba face similar problems?
In addition to the Camagüey Psychiatric Hospital, other centers such as the “El Viso” hospital in Santiago de Cuba and the psychiatric hospital in Santa Clara have also been reported for inhumane conditions. These institutions face issues of mistreatment, lack of hygiene, and scarcity of resources.
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