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Cuba's Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, praised on social media the role of the Taxi Agency of Pinar del Río in transporting patients who require hemodialysis treatment.
According to the highlights, with a fleet of 66 operational vehicles, the entity serves three municipalities: Consolación del Sur, Sandino, and the city of Pinar del Río.
He also highlighted the assignment of dedicated drivers for each patient, which, he said, facilitates family coordination and builds trust.
"This service not only provides logistical relief for patients, but also significantly contributes to the continuity of treatments, ensuring timely access to essential medical care," he emphasized.
However, what the minister presents as a demonstration of solidarity and efficiency is, in reality, an expression of the deep transportation crisis that the country is facing.
In Cuba, many sick individuals lack basic means of transportation to reach medical appointments or vital treatments such as hemodialysis. The use of state-leased taxis for these purposes does not reflect a robust public health strategy, but rather a complete lack of options.
In provinces like Guantánamo, this same scheme has expanded through what is known as "solidarity transport."
Taxi drivers, some of whom are self-employed under contract with Cubataxi, offer free rides when they do not have assigned shifts with patients. Although the gesture is noble, it arises from the urgent need to address structural gaps that the State cannot guarantee.
The director of the Taxi Agency in Guantánamo, Madelay Santiago Rodríguez, confirmed that this arrangement takes advantage of the free moments of vehicles dedicated to transporting dialysis patients.
With fuel becoming an increasingly scarce resource, these trips are limited to the bare minimum. The situation highlights that, while citizen initiatives are officially celebrated, the underlying causes of the public transportation collapse are not being addressed.
Similar initiatives have been seen in other parts of the country.
In Havana, the Electric Tricycle Club provided free transportation for family members and patients of the Oncology Hospital.
In Sancti Spíritus, taxi driver Ricardo Palmero has been supporting renal patients for nearly four decades with dedication and humanity.
These cases show that, in the face of state vacuums, the citizens respond, even though it should not be their responsibility.
Despite the official applause for these gestures, there is no clear structural response to the emergency.
The precariousness of the vehicle fleet, the shortage of fuel, the lack of investment in public transport, and the increasing demand for medical services mean that the transportation of patients often relies on the willingness of the drivers themselves.
Solidarity transport is not a solution, but a symptom. A network of palliatives that, while saving lives on a daily basis, highlights a national crisis that the official discourse prefers to mask with individual gestures of goodwill.
Meanwhile, thousands of Cubans continue to face the daily dilemma of how to get to a hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions about Taxi Support for Kidney Patients in Cuba
What role do taxis play in the transportation of kidney patients in Cuba?
Taxis play a crucial role in the transportation of renal patients who require hemodialysis treatment in Cuba, especially in provinces like Pinar del Río and Guantánamo, due to the public transportation crisis and the lack of effective state options.
How does the public transportation crisis affect the transfer of patients in Cuba?
The public transportation crisis in Cuba severely impacts the movement of patients, as many citizens lack access to basic transportation means for medical consultations or vital treatments. This has resulted in a reliance on solidarity transport initiatives and taxis to compensate for the lack of state solutions.
What is solidarity transportation in Cuba?
Solidarity transport in Cuba is a spontaneous initiative where taxis, often operated by private drivers, offer free rides to patients when they do not have assigned appointments. Although it is a noble gesture, it addresses the lack of an efficient and sustainable public transportation system.
What challenges does solidarity transportation face in Cuba?
Solidarity transport faces significant challenges such as fuel shortages, which limit vehicle operation. Moreover, these initiatives do not address the structural causes of the transport crisis, which continues to affect thousands of Cubans daily.
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