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A group of criminals ransacked and vandalized the Microbiology laboratory of the Diez de Octubre Clinical Surgical Hospital (commonly known as La Dependiente), resulting in the destruction of samples and reagents and the service being closed for almost a month.
According to official reports, on Friday health and police authorities, following a citizen complaint, identified one of the individuals involved — from whose home part of the stolen items were recovered — and, as a result of the investigation in conjunction with the Criminal Instruction Agency, arrested three other alleged perpetrators and recovered the stolen equipment.
In an event held by the PNR of the Cerro municipality, the hospital's management received four refrigerators, an air conditioner, and a computer stolen during the robbery.
The director of the center, Yanet Cristóbal Morales, expressed her gratitude for the "swift action" of the MININT and the support of the community, describing the incident as a "direct attack on the health of the people" that impacted patient care.
"The Microbiology laboratory is very effective, achieving excellent results in its management, and its team is very close-knit and hardworking. The theft of the refrigerators forced the laboratory to remain closed for almost a month, as there was nowhere to store samples and reagents, negatively impacting patient care," he expressed.
According to Sub-Lieutenant Rebeca Rodríguez Almarales, investigator of the Cerro PNR, the investigations are ongoing to recover other items stolen in previous thefts at the hospital.
The repressor added that efforts are also underway to resolve similar incidents that occurred at the Salvador Allende Clinical Surgical Hospital (La Covadonga).
In the delivery of the recovered goods, local authorities from the PCC and the People's Power, along with hospital staff, condemned the criminal acts that impacted the center's work and the service to the community.
In the midst of the serious drug shortage crisis in Cuba, which affects both chronic patients and those in need of urgent treatments, thefts like these further exacerbate the situation.
The Cuban public health system is characterized by a persistent shortage of medications, with coverage of just 30% of the essential drug list. The lack of basic supplies forces many Cubans to rely on the black market and donations from abroad.
Months ago, in Granma, the authorities arrested a nurse from the Celia Sánchez Manduley Hospital in Manzanillo, who was caught red-handed at the exit of the health center with a load of stolen medications and medical supplies taken during her shift, according to sources linked to the Ministry of the Interior.
According to the report, the hospital security staff and police officers caught the nurse as she was leaving the facility after a shift, "with a load of medications that she was apparently stealing, which were intended for (...) the patients she was supposed to care for."
The photos in the post show medications and supplies that were supposedly confiscated from the healthcare worker. Among them are omeprazole vials, ampoules of furosemide, dipyrone, and metoclopramide for injection; blister packs of tablets; dozens of disposable syringes, along with more equipment and IV bags.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Theft in the Microbiology Laboratory of the Diez de Octubre Hospital
What happened in the microbiology lab at the Diez de Octubre Hospital?
A group of criminals looted and vandalized the Microbiology laboratory of the Diez de Octubre Clinical Surgical Hospital, destroying samples and reagents, and causing the service to close for almost a month.
What were the consequences of the theft at the hospital?
The theft led to the closure of the microbiology laboratory for almost a month, impacting patient care due to the lack of refrigerators to store samples and reagents. The incident was described as an “attack on the health of the people”, in a context where the crisis of medication shortages is already severely affecting the Cuban healthcare system.
How did the authorities respond to the theft at the Diez de Octubre Hospital?
After a citizen's complaint, the Ministry of the Interior identified and arrested several individuals involved, recovering some of the stolen items, such as refrigerators, an air conditioner, and a computer. The hospital director thanked the "quick action" of MININT and the collaboration of the community.
What impact does the economic crisis have on the security of Cuban hospitals?
The economic crisis in Cuba has weakened public safety, leading to an increase in thefts and minor crimes that directly impact institutions such as hospitals. The thefts are exacerbated by a context of shortages of basic supplies, forcing many Cubans to turn to the black market and donations from abroad to meet their medical needs.
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