In the midst of an energy crisis and with hospitals operating at their limits, the Cuban government announced new measures to reorganize the healthcare system. Among them is the promotion of natural and traditional medicine as an alternative due to the shortage of medications, while ensuring that medical care for tourists and foreigners on the island is guaranteed.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, during an extensive appearance on state television, where he openly acknowledged the difficulties faced by the healthcare sector, exacerbated by power outages, a lack of resources, and a reduction in basic supplies.
According to the official, the system is not in a position to meet the demand for medications, but he is betting on "greater efficiency" and on the use of clinical methods and natural therapies as tools to sustain medical care.
Portal Miranda explained that the country is going through "a complex moment" and that the measures aim to preserve what is essential. In practice, this translates to fewer scheduled surgeries, reduced hospital stays, and adjustments in consultation hours, all dependent on the availability of electricity and fuel. The minister himself acknowledged that the shortage of medications will not be resolved, a reality that has been directly affecting patients and their families for a long time.
In this context, the Government announced that the use of natural and traditional medicine products will be increased, acknowledging that they currently do not meet demand, but insisting that "people accept them" and that they represent a therapeutic resource in the hands of healthcare professionals.
Meanwhile, the minister emphasized that medical care for individuals of other nationalities is guaranteed. Tourists, foreign workers, and medical students from other countries will continue to receive health services, coordinated with the tourism sector, even amid the contingency.
Portal Miranda emphasized that no one will be left without vital treatments such as hemodialysis or radiotherapy, and that patients who cannot be transported will be admitted to hospitals. However, he also acknowledged that the availability of ambulances is low and that the system can only prioritize the most serious emergencies.
The official speech once again appealed to the resilience and sacrifice of healthcare personnel, recalling stages such as the COVID-19 pandemic and internationalist missions. The minister stated that doctors, nurses, and technicians experience the same shortages as the rest of the population but must "overcome that barrier" every day to care for patients.
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