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The shortage of intimate products, such as sanitary pads, has hit Cuban women hard in recent years, especially in the province of Guantánamo, where in 2024 the product was distributed only twice.
The Commercializing Company of Medicines (EMCOMED) acknowledged that in 2024, only two rounds of distribution of sanitary pads were delivered to the women registered in the province, reported the local newspaper Venceremos.
However, at the beginning of this year, there is no availability of the pads due to a lack of raw materials.
According to the entity, the delivery of cotton packages for diabetic and colostomy patients has been ensured.
However, scarcity remains an urgent problem for women on the island, who face difficulties in accessing essential products for their health and hygiene.
In a note sent to the Venceremos newspaper, the company also reported that the main factors affecting the availability of these products, such as many medications, are the lack of raw materials, the scarcity of funding in the national industry, interruptions in international supplies, and difficulties in contracting with suppliers.
The letter, signed by Yanelis Galdeano Vega, Chief Commercial Specialist at EMCOMED in Guantánamo, specifies that the situation is even more serious for certain vital medications, such as antihypertensives, those for diabetes mellitus, ophthalmological medications, and antibiotics, among others.
These problems significantly affect the Maternal-Child Program, which relies on the availability of these products to ensure the health of women and children in Cuba, said the regime official.
However, as is customary in official Cuban discourse, the official did not take responsibility for the regime regarding the shortage of medicines on the island and blamed the U.S. embargo for the prolonged crisis in the healthcare sector.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Shortage of Personal Care Products and Medications in Cuba
What is the current situation regarding the shortage of intimate products in Cuba?
The shortage of intimate products in Cuba is critical, especially in provinces like Guantánamo, where in 2024 there were only two deliveries of sanitary pads. This situation is due to a lack of raw materials and financing issues in the national industry.
How is the scarcity of hygiene products affecting Cuban women?
The shortage of hygiene products is severely impacting Cuban women, who are struggling to access essential items such as sanitary pads. This has led to an increase in prices in the informal market, where a pack can cost between 400 and 1,000 pesos, representing a significant economic burden for families.
What factors are contributing to the shortage of essential goods in Cuba?
The shortage of essential products in Cuba is due to several factors, including a lack of raw materials, financing issues in the national industry, disruptions in international supply, and difficulties in contracting with suppliers. The Cuban government cites the U.S. embargo as one of the reasons, although internal management issues also play a significant role.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the supply crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to implement measures such as rationing and staggered distribution of products, although these measures have been insufficient to resolve the supply crisis. Authorities continue to blame the U.S. embargo, while the population faces serious difficulties in accessing basic goods.
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