Havana ? A Cuban hunger striker was receiving fluids and medical care in a government hospital Friday, a day after passing out at home, and has refused requests by other dissidents and religious leaders to abandon his protest.

Guillermo Farinas was taken to a hospital in the central Cuban city of Santa Clara on Thursday. It was the second time he has lost consciousness — and received fluids and nutrients intravenously — since launching his hunger strike Feb. 24.

“He is in stable condition. They are hydrating him and giving him medicine,” spokeswoman Licet Zamora said.