By Erica Laster                                                                                                                       Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

HAVANA, Cuba – A Cuban court is making its final decisions in the sentencing of 13 hospital staff charged with the negligence of minors, disabled and ill patients, embezzlement and abandonment.  The defendants face up to 15 years for the deaths of 26 psychiatric patients found dead from cold and neglect in January of 2010 after temperature dropped in the winter.  Many of the patients lacked blankets, clothing and were suffering from malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies.  

Various staff department heads, including the cook and hospital nutritionist, have been charged and face sentencing in the next few days.

A once reputed institution, various groups began to doubt the Havana Psychiatric Hospital’s responsibility in caring for patients.  In the months leading up to the January deaths, friends and family members submitted complaints about the actions of hospital staff.  Many claimed the hospital staff was stealing blankets, food and other items which they later sold on the black market. 

Granma, the main newspaper of Cuba, released word Monday regarding the case, which garnered much shock and criticism, but offered little information during the investigation.

Granma’s report substantiated family members and neighbors complaints regarding the hospital staff.   The investigation included an assessment of each patient, some of whom were found to have suffered from malnutrition, anemia and vitamin deficiencies.  On average, Havana Psychiatric received enough food for up to 2,458 patients.  Only 1,484 patients were present at the facility.

“The neglect and irregularities were already problems before, and you wonder how it is that no one saw them,” says retired communicator Marta María Céspedes. “Weren’t there inspections?”  Despite the renowned hospital’s reputation and state of the art facilities, this is a blow to the reputation of Cuba’s health care system which provides universal free healthcare. 

Elizardo Sanchez of the Cuban Human Rights Commission indicates he has evidence that up to 40 patients died at Havana Psychiatric, a fact hidden by the Cuban government.  “This reaffirms our conviction this has been a judicial farce. All the defendants are really just scapegoats, the responsibility lies with senior government officials,” says Sanchez.

Fidel Castro first instituted universal healthcare in 1959 after the revolution, leading to an excess supply of doctors and a healthcare system which rivaled most countries, including the United States.

The staff members’ trial took place from January 17 to January 22, 2011 resulting in the hospital director’s sentence of 15 years for his involvement in the patient deaths.

 For More Information Please Visit:

CNN – Cuba Hospital Staff Get Long Jail Terms For Patient Deaths – 1 February 2011

Havana Times – Shock At Cuba’s Psychiatric Hospital Trial Revelations – 25 January 2011

Global Issues – Cuba: Shock At Deaths And Corruption In Psychiatric Hospital – 25 January 2011

MSNBC – Cuba Seeks Long Jail Terms For Mental Asylum Deaths – 24 January 2011