Fara Armenteros, UPECI
HAVANA, June - A man who three years ago solicited a berth for his mother in
a home for the elderly found recently the place had been assigned... to someone
else. Many here find the story typical, saying that without political influence
it's almost impossible to get into the scarce facilities.
Jorge Santacana, a resident of Havana, recently wrote a letter to the
minister of Public Health, explaining that three years ago he had filled out the
paperwork to have his mother admitted to a care facility. After processing by a
social worker and the municipal public health authorities, the case was
forwarded to the provincial authorities that would grant placement, said
Santacana.
"After two years without an answer, I started to inquire and was
surprised to find that 'my mother' had been admitted to a home, according to all
the records in the public health offices."
"In the book at the provincial public health authority, there is an
illegible signature of whoever accepted the place in the home instead of my
mother."
Santacana says that he now has to start the paperwork anew, but that the
municipal public health director has assured him that his case will get priority
treatment.
Many Cubans say the few available places in elderly care facilities are
either sold or granted to friends or relatives of those in positions of
authority. Without pull, people here say, you don't stand a chance.
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original en español
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