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Patients and families reported an extremely unsanitary situation at the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Surgical Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, where they claim that sewage water runs beneath the beds in several wards of the facility.
The reports, shared this Saturday on the Facebook profile of independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, highlight critical conditions in Room 5B on the fifth floor of the hospital facility, where leaks and the accumulation of wastewater have been reported for over a week due to clogged toilets and failing sanitation systems.
According to testimonies gathered on social media, overflowing toilets and leaks have created puddles that stretch across the rooms, even underneath the patients' beds.
"It's disgusting. The bathrooms are clogged, and all of that runs beneath the patients' beds," reported one of the sources cited.
The whistleblowers describe a persistent environment of foul odors, dirt, and a high risk of infections in a space designated for the care of sick and vulnerable individuals.
"The room is dirty and the smell is unbearable," said relatives, who are demanding urgent intervention from health authorities.
In the comments on the post, several users confirmed that the deterioration is not an isolated incident.
Some reported previous experiences marked by dirty mattresses, deteriorating walls, cockroach infestations, and overcrowding, such as women who had just given birth sharing the same bed.
Others pointed out that, despite the precarious situation, the cleaning staff works hard but without the minimum resources to maintain hygiene.
Critics also highlight the lack of structural maintenance and the absence of effective responses from the authorities.
"It's not a blockade, it's a government problem," wrote a user, referring to the lack of basic technical solutions such as hydraulic repairs and sanitation.
These reports add to recent issues within the hospital itself. Patients and their companions had already reported sewage leaks in the Gynecology emergency room, with images showing puddles, dampness, and conditions that are incompatible with medical emergency care.
Although a user claimed that the service was moved, the images circulated would correspond to the location where it previously operated.
In December 2025, further complaints revealed an infestation of cockroaches in the bathrooms of the delivery room, used by new mothers and their babies.
The recurrence of these episodes reinforces the perception of a persistent structural decline in one of the main hospitals in Santiago de Cuba, where minimum sanitary conditions remain unguaranteed.
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