A family business donated 50 boxes of natural fruit juices to the provincial pediatric hospital of Las Tunas, in a gesture that highlights how the Cuban healthcare system even relies on the often-criticized private sector to meet the basic needs of hospitalized children.
A report from the official digital site Tiempo 21 noted this Friday that Tienda Los Reyes, operating for a year and a half, delivered the products directly to the management of the center.
David Reyes Martínez, one of the members of the private business, led the delegation during the meeting with the hospital authorities.
"In the midst of the current context of difficulties with the baby food provided to us, primarily for children under two years of age, we did not have the product available and we are resolving this with the help of non-state actors and independent producers, who deliver the fruit to us through donations or through purchases," stated Yaneisi Salinas Medina, director of the hospital institution.
Salinas described the contribution as "invaluable aid" and also expressed gratitude for the support from non-governmental organizations that have provided supplies and medications throughout this year.
At the beginning of the year, the provincial pediatric hospital Mártires de Las Tunas received a donation from the Canary Network of Solidarity with Cuba, which highlights a growing dependence on external support that has deepened month by month.
"Solidarity is urgently needed in the current situation, which is so difficult for the population and especially for those from such large and important institutions as this one, which serves the children," explained Camila de Los Ángeles García Matos, a medical student and representative of Los Reyes.
García added that the initiative had already delivered cleaning supplies to the maternity home of the Gustavo Aldereguía polyclinic and that the intention is to maintain the donations regularly.
"As long as it is in our power, we will help several institutions (...) we aim to be systematic, even if it's not in large volumes, because every bit of help counts to alleviate these times," he emphasized.
The hospital director stated that the center is open to negotiating with non-state actors within the framework of the 176 economic transformations approved in June, although on the condition that the food is certified in advance by hygienists, the source noted.
In June, a private company from Sancti Spíritus delivered diapers to hospitals and homes for elderly individuals. That same month, a private worker from Matanzas donated an electric tricycle to transport dialysis patients.
This Friday, a private business inaugurated the first Community Food Home in Ciego de Ávila province.
The Food Monitor Program reported in April that nearly 97% of the Cuban population lacked adequate access to food, and that more than 100,000 children were not receiving their daily ration of milk.
The Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, acknowledged in February that the healthcare system is on the verge of collapse.
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