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Crime has dealt another hard blow to a medical office in the city of Santiago de Cuba, where equipment and other supplies were stolen again this Thursday, just over a month after it was previously robbed.
Consultory No. 2 of the Frank País Polyclinic, located on H Street between 4th and 5th, in the Agüero neighborhood, "was again vandalized by thieves," residents in the area reported to the communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
The criminals broke into the facility after breaking the padlock on the door and stole the scale for children, medical clamps, and other medical supplies that have not yet been inventoried, Mayeta specified in a post on his social media.
He recalled that just a few weeks ago, thieves stole the three doors from the healthcare center, and “now they have returned to take the working instruments of the health staff.”
On that occasion, the neighbors alerted the Police after the incident occurred in the early hours of August 31, but the officers responded that they would come “when it gets light,” which caused discontent and indignation among the population, who feel helpless in the face of the rise in crime and the lack of effective action by the authorities to contain it.
"The office is devastated, and what little was left is being taken away little by little," lamented a local resident on Thursday, following the latest robbery.
Mayeta warned that "the repetition of these incidents reflects the serious insecurity faced by public health centers in Santiago de Cuba, lacking stable surveillance and resources to ensure their protection."
"While the people lose faith and the doctors lose their tools, the thieves continue to gain ground," he lamented. "The theft is no longer just of the office... it is of the people's right to be treated with dignity."
Less than a week after the robbery at the Agüero neighborhood clinic, thieves repeated the crime at a clinic in Nuevo Vista Alegre, from which they took the main door early in the morning.
Thefts are also common in hospitals and clinics, where there should be ongoing surveillance systems and security personnel.
A group of criminals looted and vandalized the Microbiology laboratory at the Diez de Octubre Clinical Surgical Hospital (known as La Dependiente) in Havana, resulting in the destruction of samples and reagents and the closure of the service for nearly a month, adversely affecting patient care.
The police stated that similar incidents occurring at the Salvador Allende Clinical Surgical Hospital (La Covadonga), also in the Cuban capital, are under investigation.
The repeated thefts in healthcare centers highlight the landscape of vulnerability and insecurity affecting the country, where institutions that should be places of trust and care have become easy targets for criminals, due to a lack of surveillance and inaction from the authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Insecurity in Health Centers in Santiago de Cuba
Why are medical offices in Santiago de Cuba targets for theft?
Medical offices in Santiago de Cuba are easy targets for theft due to the lack of surveillance and insufficient resources to ensure their protection. Furthermore, the ineffective response of the authorities to these crimes has created an atmosphere of vulnerability and insecurity in the region.
What has been the police response to the thefts in healthcare centers?
The police response to thefts in healthcare facilities has been slow and insufficient. On several occasions, residents have reported that authorities only arrive at the scene hours after the thefts, which has generated outrage and distrust within the community.
What impact do these thefts have on the community and healthcare staff?
These thefts seriously affect the community and healthcare staff, as essential equipment and supplies for medical care are lost, impacting the quality of service and the dignity with which patients should be treated. Additionally, it creates an atmosphere of insecurity and distrust in spaces that should be safe and nurturing.
What does the community of Santiago de Cuba say about insecurity in healthcare facilities?
The community of Santiago de Cuba expresses a deep frustration and distrust towards the authorities due to their inaction in the face of rising insecurity. Residents feel unprotected, and some have chosen to take justice into their own hands, reflecting the desperation arising from the lack of an official response.
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