A Cuban mother identified as Leydis Moreno reported the precarious conditions and lack of medical attention at the Pediatric Hospital of Holguín, where her son, a high-risk child with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and generalized epilepsy, is hospitalized.
In a post from October 28, when the passage of Hurricane Melissa was anticipated in eastern Cuba, Moreno recounted that there was no suitable place in the Holguín Pediatric Hospital "Octavio de la Concepción de la Pedraja" to care for his son, who requires immediate assistance during seizure crises.
"There is no place to put a high-risk child (...) When things get complicated, it doesn't hurt them; it hurts me, as their mother," she wrote.
The woman stated that on a previous occasion her son was rushed to the intensive care unit due to medical negligence, and she held the hospital staff responsible for any complications her son may suffer.
He also reported the lack of hygiene, beds, and trained personnel, stating that many workers act with indifference: “You have to make a post on social media for them to listen and resolve your issue, because otherwise, you and the child don’t matter to them,” he lamented.
Several users reacted to the complaint, expressing outrage and support. One internet user pointed out: “Doctors don’t want to be called; it annoys them, it’s as if they were at home,” and reminded everyone that being a doctor involves vocation, empathy, and love for others.
Another user shared her experience at the same hospital, where she waited over five hours in the rain for her baby to be seen, comparing the lack of empathy in Cuba with the humanized care she received years later abroad.
Moreno's testimony was published before the passage of Hurricane Melissa. The current situation in the province is much more serious. The health crisis and the damage caused by the cyclone have exacerbated hospital conditions.
The mother from Holguín vowed to continue raising awareness until her son receives the attention he deserves, but in eastern Cuba, millions of people have been without electricity and communication for several days.
Filed under:
