In a shocking revelation, several newborns were placed on old chairs in the pre-delivery room of the Ana Betancourt de Mora University Provincial Gyneco-Obstetric Hospital in Camagüey, as there were no available beds for them. This troubling situation was highlighted in a video shared on Facebook by independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada on Thursday.
"Look at this! Newborns lying on old chairs and dirty rags in the pre-delivery room of the Camagüey Maternity Hospital because there are no beds available for them," Tan Estrada wrote, accompanying the footage with the hashtag #TanteandoCuba. The video amassed over 47,000 views in just a few hours.
Ongoing Issues at the Hospital
This incident is not isolated; it is the latest in a series of reported irregularities at the same facility throughout 2026. Back in April, Tan Estrada had already reported that pregnant women in Ward A were left waiting in hallways on worn-out mattresses, stripped of privacy and proper ventilation.
In May, a photograph circulated showing electric motorcycles parked within the perinatal care unit, an area that demands strict hygiene standards. The same month, Tan Estrada disclosed the tragic deaths of more than 15 infants at the hospital from January to May, attributing these losses to negligence and wastewater leaks from an upper-floor bathroom, which led to bacteria and insects infesting the neonatal area.
Heartbreaking Testimonies
In June, a mother recounted her harrowing experience as her baby endured pulmonary, gastric, and cerebral hemorrhages, cardiac arrests, kidney damage, and seizures over four days before passing away, highlighting the dire conditions of the hospital.
Cuban health authorities have yet to issue any verifiable public response to these serious allegations.
Wider Health Crisis in Camagüey
The state of disrepair is not confined to the maternity hospital. The Manuel Ascunce Domenech Provincial Hospital in Camagüey also faces severe issues, with reports of overflowing toilets, bedbug-infested patient beds, and moldy walls.
On Wednesday, the hospital's management acknowledged the building's physical deterioration, yet appealed to the "morality" of their workers as a solution.
This situation reflects a broader healthcare crisis in Cuba, as documented by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Infant mortality on the island increased from 4.9 per 1,000 live births in 2020 to 9.9 in 2025, representing a rise of approximately 148%.
PAHO estimated that over 33,000 pregnant women have limited access to ultrasounds and fetal monitoring due to equipment failures and extended power outages. In July 2025, the Health Minister himself admitted that the system was operating with merely 30% of the essential medicine supply.
The image of newborns resting on decrepit chairs encapsulates, in a mere three-second video, the grim reality of a healthcare system that the Cuban regime continues to tout as a triumph of the Revolution.
Understanding the Healthcare Crisis in Cuba
What caused the newborns to be placed on chairs in the Camagüey hospital?
The lack of available beds in the pre-delivery room of the Ana Betancourt de Mora University Provincial Gyneco-Obstetric Hospital led to newborns being placed on old chairs.
Has there been any response from Cuban health authorities?
As of now, there has been no verifiable public response from Cuban health authorities regarding these serious allegations.
How has infant mortality changed in Cuba recently?
Infant mortality in Cuba increased from 4.9 per 1,000 live births in 2020 to 9.9 in 2025, an increase of approximately 148%.
What other issues are hospitals in Camagüey facing?
Hospitals in Camagüey, such as the Manuel Ascunce Domenech Provincial Hospital, face issues like overflowing toilets, bedbug infestations, and moldy walls.