A Cuban resident in Holguín, diagnosed with breast cancer, recounted her experience of abandonment. Her words illustrate the serious situation of the healthcare system in Cuba, characterized by a lack of supplies, surgical delays, and institutional neglect.
Yamisledis, a young woman living in extreme poverty in the Buenaventura neighborhood of the Calixto García municipality, claims that she has not received chemotherapy nor has she been able to undergo surgery because she lacks the necessary resources to purchase the supplies required by the hospital.
“I still don’t know if they can operate on me, if it’s already too late,” she stated in an interview with Univisión Noticias. The woman lives with her mother and they do not receive any additional income. She has been a victim of a collapsed healthcare system that ties medical care to patients’ ability to afford their treatments by purchasing supplies on the black market.
Another case is that of Yanet Pérez, a single mother of three children, facing a precarious economic situation as she survives on a minimal pension.
Yanet sought help from the international press to bring visibility to her case. She needs surgery for a vaginal hernia, and the hospital in Holguín lacks resources. They told her that the waiting time for surgery would be a year, but if she provided her own medical supplies, she could be operated on in a week.
"The doctors are asking me for things, and I am in a critical situation; I live on a limited budget. I can't afford the items needed for my treatment," he explained.
However, following the dissemination of his complaint, the government intervened and the Lenin Hospital in Holguín scheduled his surgery for this Tuesday, without requiring him to provide the medical supplies.
Official recognition of the crisis in the Public Health System
The testimonies of these women add to the growing public outrage over the deterioration of the healthcare system in Cuba, a crisis that was publicly acknowledged in July by the Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, before the National Assembly of People's Power.
The head of MINSAP acknowledged that the healthcare system is experiencing an "unprecedented structural crisis," with only 30% of the essential medication list covered and hospitals facing significant organizational and material deficiencies.
He presented a worrying picture: a shortage of medical supplies, an exodus of professionals, an increase in maternal and infant mortality, and corruption within hospital institutions. Despite this, he avoided self-criticism and attributed the situation to the U.S. embargo, without mentioning the internal failures of the system.
The availability of medications in pharmacies in Cuba barely reaches 32%, and access to treatments now depends almost exclusively on the income from exportable medical services.
Portal Miranda stated that “the objectives of the healthcare system will depend on the available funding,” which marks a break from the historical official narrative of health as a universal right in Cuba.
Meanwhile, the citizens continue to face long waits, overwhelmed doctors in patient care, deteriorating facilities, and medications that have become luxury items, all in a country where the government has reiterated that tourism is the priority sector for the national economy.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Health System Crisis in Cuba
What is the current state of the healthcare system in Cuba?
The healthcare system in Cuba is experiencing an unprecedented structural crisis, characterized by a shortage of medical supplies, a lack of medications, and a general deterioration of services. Only 30% of the essential medicine list is covered, and medical care largely depends on the patients' economic ability to acquire supplies on their own.
How does the crisis affect cancer patients in Cuba?
Patients with cancer in Cuba face serious challenges in receiving treatment due to a lack of medications and specialized equipment. The shortage of cytostatics and adequate resources prevents many from receiving timely chemotherapy or surgery. Although the government has promised to improve conditions, patients and their families often seek care outside the country due to the lack of immediate solutions.
What role does the Cuban government play in this health crisis?
The Cuban government acknowledges the crisis but attributes much of the problems to the U.S. embargo, without any self-criticism regarding internal inefficiency or corruption within the system. The Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, has stated that the solution depends on the available funding, which reflects a disconnection of health as a universal right and turns it into a service conditioned by economic resources.
What measures has Cuba taken to improve the situation of hospitals?
The Cuban government has promised certain investments to improve hospital conditions, such as the purchase of equipment for the production of cytostatics. However, tangible improvements are limited, and effective short-term solutions have not been implemented. The lack of resources continues to prevail, and hospitals face hygiene issues, staff shortages, and a lack of basic supplies.
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