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The government of India sent humanitarian aid in essential medicines to Cuba this Friday, to “contribute to the recovery of the island, affected by Hurricane Rafael last November,” as stated in an official statement.
The donation includes antibiotics, antipyretics, analgesics, oral solutions and muscle relaxants, announced Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, on the social media platform X.
The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this contribution from India "demonstrates the close ties between the two countries, which are celebrating the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year."
This is the second humanitarian shipment that New Delhi has sent to the island in just over six months.
In June 2024, the Indian government donated raw materials to support the production of medications in Cuba, consisting of 90 tons of nine active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) manufactured in the Asian country.
According to the news released by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, these resources would be "used by Cuban drug manufacturers to produce essential antibiotics in the form of tablets, capsules, syrups, and injections, necessary for the treatment of chronic communicable diseases."
Cuba has been facing a severe shortage of medications for years, amidst the deep crisis of the national public health system, which is also characterized by a lack of other supplies and medical equipment, in addition to a scarcity of healthcare personnel.
By the end of 2024, the regime acknowledged that over 70% of essential medications are lacking in the country.
According to official reports, out of the 651 products that make up the Basic Medicine List, 461 are completely unavailable or have low availability, which means that more than 70% of essential medicines are either not available or face serious access difficulties for the Cuban people.
Due to the scarcity of medications and all kinds of resources, from primary care to the hospital system, public health is one of the most depressed sectors in Cuba due to the economic and political decisions of the regime, which, however, blames the United States embargo for the health crisis in the country.
Frequently asked questions about the donation of medications from India to Cuba
What medications has India donated to Cuba?
India has donated antibiotics, antipyretics, analgesics, oral solutions, and muscle relaxants to Cuba as part of a humanitarian aid effort to support the island's recovery after Hurricane Rafael.
What is the situation of the healthcare system in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a severe shortage of medications, with more than 70% of essential drugs either unavailable or in low supply. The crisis of the healthcare system in Cuba is due to the shortage of medications, supplies, equipment, and healthcare personnel, exacerbated by the economic and political decisions of the Cuban regime.
How has India contributed in the past to the production of pharmaceuticals in Cuba?
In June 2024, India sent 90 tons of active pharmaceutical ingredients to Cuba to support the local production of essential antibiotics, allowing Cuba to produce medications such as amoxicillin and cefalexin.
What is the impact of Hurricane Rafael in Cuba?
The hurricane Rafael caused severe damage to infrastructure, homes, and essential services in the provinces of Artemisa, Havana, and Mayabeque. Additionally, it resulted in widespread blackouts and severely impacted the healthcare system and agricultural production on the island.
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