Dr. Tomás, head of the Intensive Care Unit at the Manuel Fajardo Clinical Surgical University Hospital in Havana, received a yellow bicycle in recognition of his professional career during an event organized by the project "Cuba must be loved," which sparked a wave of indignation and ridicule on social media.
The official page of the hospital published images of the event with the following message: “This bicycle is dedicated to Dr. Tomás, a cornerstone of the ICU and pride of Manuel Fajardo, for his selfless work and institutional example.”
The project also released a video announcing: “Today we begin the delivery of bicycles to doctors at Fajardo. Dr. Tomás, head of the Intensive Care Unit, was the first. The professor is very well-liked. We will continue.”
The audience's reaction was immediate and overwhelmingly critical, with the majority expressing disbelief or sarcasm at what they consider a laughable award for a high-ranking specialist.
"A bicycle for a specialist doctor who is almost 70 years old is appreciated, but it's a joke," wrote a user.
Critics also pointed to the everyday reality of the award: "Do you really think that doctor, after a shift in the ICU, is going to grab that bike and pedal all over Havana?" asked a user.
Another pointed out the most painful paradox: “Bicycles for doctors and brand new patrol cars for police officers”. A third person summarized the general sentiment with a powerful phrase: “Year 2026 and they’re still paying with trinkets.”
Another one added with irony: "A bicycle to arrive sweaty, tired, and climb to the fourth floor." Someone else pointed out the practical issues of the prize in today's Cuba: "Now, aside from the usual problems, you have to find where to get punch without electricity and money to buy spare parts."
Several comments recalled the Special Period of the 1990s, when the regime distributed Chinese bicycles en masse due to the collapse of fuel supply following the fall of the Soviet Union.
That in 2026 this gesture—now presented as an honorary distinction—will be repeated is what has most outraged Cubans on social media.
The episode takes place against the backdrop of extreme impoverishment of medical personnel. In 2026, Cuban doctors earn between 10 and 16 dollars a month at the informal exchange rate, while a basic weekly grocery bill can cost between 25,000 and 30,000 Cuban pesos, several times the monthly salary of a specialist.
The Manuel Fajardo Hospital itself has accumulated recent reports: people sleeping on the floor due to lack of transportation, shortages of medication, and deteriorating infrastructure, in addition to a fire reported in May 2026 on the fifth floor of the facility.
"My God and my Lord, what joy for a doctor. What they deserve is not a car, but a spaceship," wrote another user, ironically summarizing what thousands of Cubans think about the real value of medical work on the island and the priorities of the regime that governs it.
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