|
 The outcry comes in reaction to comments by government officials
that the doctors say scapegoat medics for the country's worsening
plight while downplaying precarious conditions pre-dating
https://www.reuters.com/world/
americas/cubans-turn-herbal-
remedies-barter-amid-medicine-
scarcity-2021-04-20 the current crisis.
https://www.reuters.com/world/
americas/coronavirus-surge-pushes-cubas-healthcare-system-brink-2021-08-11
"I want to denounce the collapse of our health system in our
hospital as well as in the rest of the country, due to a lack of
resources and protective gear," said Dr. Francisco Pavon in a video
shared on social media, featuring more than 20 doctors and medical
students in the eastern province of Holguin.
Others took to Facebook or messaging platforms to denounce the
critical situation and demand more support from authorities.
Similar criticism has been seen elsewhere globally during the
pandemic as medical staff have reached a breaking point when
infections have ballooned, overwhelming even the richest of
healthcare systems.
But in Cuba it is unusual, as authorities often restrict public
dissent, saying unity is necessary to combat open U.S. attempts to
force political change.
And the topic is especially sensitive: healthcare is considered one
of the pillars of legitimacy of Cuba's "revolutionary" one-party
system, having produced results on a par with rich nations.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel acknowledged last week the
healthcare system was overwhelmed. Cuba currently has one of the
highest caseloads
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/
coronavirus-surge-pushes-cubas-healthcare-system-brink-2021-08-11
worldwide. The government has blamed tougher U.S. sanctions for
worsening shortages on the island and slowing the roll-out of
home-grown vaccines.
But doctors' complaints have exposed simmering resentment over how
rundown
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/
cubans-turn-herbal-remedies-
barter-amid-medicine-scarcity-
2021-04-20 Cuba's healthcare system was even before the pandemic,
with many blaming economic mismanagement not U.S. sanctions, as well
as low salaries and other labor issues.
Coming a month after unprecedented nationwide anti-government
protests
https://www.reuters.com/world/
americas/street-protests-break-
out-cuba-2021-07-11, rights activists say it is another sign Cubans
are losing their fear of speaking up despite the risk of reprisals,
like losing their job or being expelled from university.
The growth of internet access in Cuba, providing virtual forums to
share gripes and mobilize, has been key, they say.
Diaz-Canel blamed last month's protests on the United States,
accusing Washington of fomenting dissent online. But he also
signaled he was open to reforms and a re-evaluation of Cuba's
economic policies.
'SHAME ON YOU'
While state-run media have published few details of Cuba's COVID-19
crisis, reports of incinerators breaking down due to excess corpses
or deaths due to a lack of oxygen
https://www.reuters.com/world/
americas/main-cuban-oxygen-plant-fails-amid-covid-19-surge-2021-08-15
have been emerging in provincial outlets in the worst-affected
provinces and on social media.
[to top of second column] |
 But Prime Minister Manuel
Marrero said he had heard more complaints during
a visit to the central province of Cienfuegos
about "mistreatment and neglect" by doctors than
about scarcity.
That, and statements by other officials alluding
to doctors not showing up at their clinics or
taking holidays in the middle of the crisis,
proved to be the straw that broke the camel's
back for many overworked doctors.
"Shame on you for criticizing those on the front lines," wrote
Marian Vasquez, 23, a doctor and trainee-surgeon at the main
Cienfuegos hospital, on Facebook. "It's time you did more and
criticized and lied less."
The country has long prided itself on having one of the highest
ratios of physicians per capita, but many are deployed overseas.
Now, the country is bringing hundreds back.
"Why the closed door meetings. Why did you not meet and dialogue
with those on the ground?" asked Miguel Angel Gonzalez, a doctor in
Cienfuegos, chiming in with growing accusations among Cubans that
government officials are out of touch with the people.
He said the medics had hoped officials might be able to explain how
they were supposed to work without enough equipment to do chest
x-rays for all the patients in intensive therapy or the reactives to
conduct basic tests.
Government officials this week moved into damage control mode,
underscoring their gratitude for the work of doctors and their
efforts to increase oxygen supplies.
"What we have most proven in this time is the patriotism of our
people, the healthcare staff, scientists. Working full time in
complicated situations," wrote the president on Twitter. "Thanks to
all!"
Wearing a white doctor's coat, stethoscope around his neck and face
mask, one doctor in the video, Rafael Alejandro Fuentes, said he was
afraid, not of the pandemic, but of how government would interpret
them "demanding (their) rights."
State media said on Tuesday Cuba was updating its telecoms
legislation to outlaw certain behavior on social media like
publishing "false news, offensive messages or defamation with impact
on the country's prestige."
Cuba says it has the right to defend itself against U.S.-backed
counterrevolutionaries seeking to overthrow it. However, some
doctors saw this as an attempt to muzzle them and other critics.
Access to internet and social media was also heavily disrupted in
the weeks following the July 11 protests.
"We could not speak in public spaces," said one doctor working at a
COVID-19 isolation center, on condition of anonymity. "Now we can't
do it over the internet."
(Reporting by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)
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