The Cuban surgeon Yonardo Fonseca Mesa reported this Thursday that he was removed from the hospital where he worked in Ciego de Ávila, just a few weeks after receiving his "liberation" from the National Health System.
In a Facebook post, Fonseca explained that about two weeks ago he was notified of his release, a process that, according to him, would allow him to travel outside the country or start working in another sector.
However, he pointed out that he still does not have a passport and that he decided to continue seeing patients while gathering what he needs to start a new chapter outside the healthcare system.
"Since I still don't have a passport and I can't survive on the miserable salary of a surgeon (it has been almost five months since I could withdraw a peso from my card), I decided, like other doctors in the same situation, to continue doing what I love most: caring for patients and saving lives," he explained.
The situation changed on September 10, when, according to his account, while he was seeing patients, he was informed that since the 3rd he no longer belonged to the hospital.
"I was notified that as of the 3rd, by decision of the hospital director, I was no longer a doctor at this institution, meaning I was practically expelled a week ago," he reported.
Fonseca also presented a document dated September 3, 2026 and issued by the Department of Human Resources of the Dr. Antonio Luaces Iraola Provincial General Teaching Hospital in Ciego de Ávila.
The letter, addressed to Fonseca as a mastology specialist, states: "Through this message and at the director's request, I inform you that, as you are now released, you will cease your work activities at our hospital today."
The doctor attributed what happened to possible reprisals and stated that there is a "black and diabolical hand" behind the decision.
"I am well aware of what they are capable of and all the dirty tricks they use against those, like me, who confront them head-on," he stated.
He also criticized colleagues who, according to him, engage in such acts in exchange for holding positions within the system.
Before closing his message, Fonseca dedicated a few words to his patients: «Strength to continue facing your illness with dignity and courage».
He thanked his friends for "their good advice and unconditional support," while to those he labeled as his enemies, he stated: "I hope one day to be able to thank you for giving me this push that I perhaps needed to get out of all this."
The surgeon concluded his post with the phrase: “God, Homeland, Life, and Freedom!”.
The incident occurs months after Fonseca had other confrontations with the authorities at his workplace.
In April, he publicly denounced a treatment he deemed humiliating within the hospital itself, after a staff member ordered him to leave an elevator while he was on his way to operate on two cancer patients.
Later, Fonseca reported that he was being arrested, which caused concern among colleagues and supporters.
After being released, he explained that he had been taken to have a "conversation" and sign a warning letter.
The doctor linked that action to his public criticisms regarding what happened in the hospital.
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