La Víbora home provides free care to 102 older women
The center struggles to obtain medicines and food while power outages disrupt everyday tasks.
1 min read
San Francisco de Paula Home in Havana’s La Víbora neighborhood provides free housing and care to 102 older women. Religious sisters and staff care for residents amid power outages and shortages of medicine and supplies.
Sister Cecilia María Fuentes Ávila coordinates care with support from about 80 workers, including 17 nurses and two doctors. Residents range in age from 70 to 91; some require permanent assistance with mobility or daily activities.
Staff have difficulty obtaining antibiotics, diarrhea treatments and blood-pressure medications. Power outages also complicate food preparation, cleaning and laundry operations.