Shortage of condoms in Santiago de Cuba prevents sales in pharmacies

The shortage of condoms continues to be a problem in Santiago de Cuba, declared Dr. Julio Guerra Izquierdo, provincial director of Public Health.

"It is not possible to put it on sale in the pharmacy because there are not enough of them," the official said. "They have also been given to some adolescents who already have an active sexual life."

Despite the donations received, the number of condoms that the province has is insufficient to cover demand, so they prioritize some risk groups that can acquiresexually transmitted diseases and HIV, he told the official newspaperSierra Maestra.

However, the shortage of condoms is not the only problem facing the Public Health System in Santiago de Cuba.

The lack of medical supplies is a worrying issue for health professionals, especially in primary care, where resources are being reorganized and prioritized to guarantee maternal and child care.

"Recently, due to the lack of disposable syringes, we decided to replace the glass syringes, complying with all asepsis, antisepsis and sterilization measures, also placing disposable needles so as not to stop services," he explained.

Pharmacies out of stock They are also a reality in the country, and that eastern Cuban province is no exception, and the provincial director of Public Health justified the crisis with the difficulties they have in acquiring the necessary raw materials.

Antihypertensives are one of the most scarce medications and are being distributed as they reach the pharmacy network, although they are not enough for everyone.

Furthermore, the lack of sanitary pads is another problem that affects women in that province, due to the difficulties in importing the raw materials necessary to produce them in sufficient quantities.

Although delivery has already begun in some places, they still need to be distributed in some pharmacies in the municipality of Santiago de Cuba and other municipalities.

"We are missing around 85 pharmacies in the municipality of Santiago de Cuba, to which they will be distributed soon; this will also be done in units in other municipalities," Guerra Izquierdo promised.

Another worrying issue is patient access to colostomy bags, which are mostly imported and the provincial director of Public Health announced that they will soon sell these supplies, after receiving a batch, but explained that it is not enough to cover the demand.