Hospitals in Cuba are operating under war-like conditions due to blackouts and shortages

Hospitals in Cuba operate under conditions similar to those of a country in armed conflict, with surgeries suspended, medical equipment out of service, and power outages of up to 20 hours a day that exacerbate an already deep health crisis.

A report published by El Nuevo Herald describes how the lack of fuel and prolonged power outages have forced the halt of non-emergency surgical procedures, while X-ray, ultrasound, and tomography equipment remain inactive due to the instability of the power supply.

Doctors consulted by the media indicated that, due to the inability to use basic diagnostic technology, they are forced to rely almost exclusively on the traditional clinical method.

A physician reported on social media that the Guillermo Domínguez Hospital in Puerto Padre does not even have an operational electrocardiogram to ensure minimum safety during shifts.

The situation occurs in a context of widespread medication shortages and the deterioration of healthcare facilities.

The report describes hospitals with dark corridors, limited services, and nearly empty wards due to the suspension of regular procedures and the lack of transportation for patients.

Dr. Antonio Guedes, author of the book From Words to Action: The Legend of Healthcare in Cuba 1902-2024, warned that the current crisis has immediate and long-term consequences.

According to the explanation, treatable diseases such as cancer, heart conditions, and lung issues worsen when timely care is not provided, increasing preventable mortality.

The energy crisis, worsened by the disruption of oil supplies, has affected not only hospital care but also basic services such as transportation, waste collection, and water supply, increasing epidemiological risks.

For Dr. Julio César Alfonso, president of the organization Solidarity Without Borders, the health situation is the worst in the country's history.

It's not that the system is going to collapse; it's that it has already collapsed, he stated to the mentioned outlet, warning that without urgent intervention, many patients could face irreversible consequences.

Meanwhile, healthcare professionals are working under increasingly precarious conditions, facing prolonged power outages, shortages of supplies, and a growing demand for medical care in an ever more vulnerable population.