A Cuban mother reported this Thursday about the long lines at the "Juan Manuel Márquez" Pediatric Hospital in Havana, where dozens of children have to sign up on makeshift lists to be attended to in the emergency room.
The collapse of medical services in pediatric hospitals occurs amid a growing wave of febrile and gastrointestinal illnesses affecting the entire country.
"It’s disgusting and heartbreaking just to step inside. The family members of the children are sprawled on the floor, trash is piled up in the corners, and there's a terrible stench in the bathrooms," wrote Facebook user Antonio Fernández after sharing a video by the Cuban Glenda Rancaño.
The activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia shared a photograph on her social media showing the medical document provided to the parents of children diagnosed with emetic syndrome at another Cuban hospital. It recommends rest at home and oral rehydration, without any type of medication or additional treatment.
The independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada reports a similar situation at the Pediatric Hospital of Camagüey, where parents and children wait for long hours to receive care for symptoms consistent with dengue: high fever, vomiting, and general weakness.
From early on, the emergency room is crowded. There is only one specialist doctor who covers shifts every 48 or 72 hours; the rest of the consultations are handled by resident doctors.
Many doctors at the health center in Camagüey have requested to resign or be released from service due to exhaustion, leaving the emergency area in the hands of residents without adequate support.
Images of crowded hallways and desperate families are repeated in other provinces, highlighting the collapse of the Cuban healthcare system.
MINSAP confirms deaths from dengue after weeks of silence
The Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) acknowledged this week the deaths of three individuals due to dengue so far in 2025, after weeks of official denials and refusals.
The information was provided by Deputy Minister Carilda Peña García, who also acknowledged the simultaneous circulation of three arboviruses: dengue, chikungunya, and Oropouche fever.
However, the official did not disclose details about the ages or provinces of the deceased, fueling suspicions of opacity and information manipulation by the health authorities of the regime.
Peña García explained that patients with mild symptoms are admitted to their homes, a measure that the regime presents as "hospital decongestion," but in practice leaves thousands of families without medical follow-up or medication.
The rains, the accumulation of garbage, and the lack of insecticides have facilitated the expansion of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector for dengue and other viral diseases. Resources for fumigation "are only sent where there are confirmed cases," leaving vast urban areas without vector control.
The recognition of the three deaths contradicts the recent statements made by Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda and the national epidemiologist Francisco Durán García, who publicly denied the existence of any deaths due to dengue.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Health Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation in pediatric hospitals in Cuba?
Pediatric hospitals in Cuba are overwhelmed due to a rise in febrile and gastrointestinal illnesses. Families have to wait for long hours and face unsanitary conditions, while the lack of medications worsens the situation. The healthcare system is collapsing, with exhausted doctors and limited resources.
What diseases are currently affecting Cuba?
Cuba is facing the simultaneous circulation of three arboviral diseases: dengue, chikungunya, and Oropouche fever. Dengue has resulted in the deaths of at least three people so far in 2025, according to the Ministry of Public Health. However, the lack of transparency and resources hampers the effective management of these outbreaks.
How is the Cuban government handling the health crisis?
The Cuban government has been criticized for its opaque handling of the health crisis. Despite acknowledging the deaths of three people due to dengue, authorities have been accused of manipulating information and failing to provide details about the deceased. Resources for fumigation and medical care are limited, and many areas do not receive the necessary vector control.
What impact does the lack of resources have on disease control in Cuba?
The lack of resources in Cuba has exacerbated the health crisis. The shortage of insecticides, medications, and qualified medical personnel hinders effective control of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. This situation has led to the collapse of hospitals and the abandonment of patients, especially in urban areas lacking adequate vector control.
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