Cuban Hospitals

* We learn that modern, inexpensive medical care is available in Cuba to foreigners with hard currency (Nov. 29), and that Almeijeira Hospital in Havana has two remodeled floors for foreigners--but what about the Cubans on the remaining 22 floors? One Havana resident with whom I have contact says that her cataract surgery at Almeijeira was repeatedly postponed for two years due to contaminated operating rooms and medication shortages.

Those who are admitted to hospitals bring their own bed linens and food rations. Shortages of disinfectants caused an outbreak of sepsis this year among patients at Sancti Spiritus’ Camilo Cienfuegos Hospital.

Hospitalized Cubans must watch as “medical tourists” on the next floor receive the best of the country’s medical resources while they languish in the worst of conditions.

MARTHA MAZARREDO

FREEMAN

Anaheim Hills