The system simply failed - Antonio Varela
As many of you may have noticed, I have been absent from my usual comments on the serious shortcomings of the health system in Cape Verde. For a while, I decided to step back, listen, reflect and believe that, perhaps, things might finally start to improve. But what I'm witnessing now is more than disappointing - it's absolutely ridiculous and deeply unacceptable.
In the 21st century, in a country that prides itself on its progress, stability and resilience, it is inconceivable that a person can still be left to suffer in such an inhumane way, simply because the system has failed. No one, regardless of their condition or origin, should have to endure pain, abandonment or despair for lack of adequate medical care.
I will try to keep the words of blame to a minimum - not because there are no responsible parties, but because this moment calls for compassion, urgency and action, not endless debate. Still, we can't pretend that nothing is happening. We must recognize that what is happening is not an isolated case, but a reflection of a much deeper problem - a broken system that, for too long, has ignored those who have no voice, power or access to the care they need.
Cape Verde is a country we love deeply. It is the land that holds our history, our families, our identity and our hopes for a better future. But love for a nation must also be accompanied by the courage to demand more from it. It is precisely because we love this country that we cannot remain silent while our fellow citizens - our brothers, sisters, parents and friends - are left behind.
These are the forgotten people of Cape Verde. They are not numbers or statistics - they are human beings, deserving of dignity, compassion and care. The time for complacency is over. We must demand real reform, real investment and real responsibility in our health system. Because no one - absolutely no one - should be left to suffer like this in our beloved land.
