A massive blackout has left much of Cuba in darkness, severely disrupting the nation's already strained healthcare system. Carilda Peña García, the Deputy Minister of Public Health, admitted on state television that scheduled surgeries and other elective medical procedures have been put on hold, with priority given to urgent and emergency cases.
During her address, Peña detailed the activation of health protocols designed for energy crises, which include the immediate mobilization of medical staff and an assessment of backup generators, oxygen supplies, and water systems.
While the Deputy Minister claimed that hospitals are not currently in a critical state, she acknowledged that some facilities have less than 24 hours of fuel remaining and are receiving priority attention. She also highlighted that water supply remains a significant issue. Many medical institutions were already relying on water trucks due to drought conditions, exacerbating the current crisis.
“Without energy at the supply sources for pumping, everything becomes more complicated,” Peña warned, emphasizing coordination with Hydraulic Resources to prioritize hospital needs. Regarding oxygen supplies, she assured that there are no current shortages, either through cylinders or reserve tanks, and that medical personnel are trained to manually ventilate patients in extreme situations.
“Medical emergencies are also being attended to; while ambulance availability is limited, they continue to handle patient transfers,” she stated. Peña confirmed that patients scheduled for non-urgent surgeries will have to wait until the situation stabilizes. Hospitals are prepared to transfer cases to other facilities with greater capacity if generators or other systems fail. She also reassured that patients on hemodialysis have guaranteed transportation to continue their treatments.
The official narrative stresses that the hospital network maintains its "vitality" and that institutions are equipped to handle emergencies. However, CiberCuba reported that the collapse of the National Electric System on Wednesday forced the transfer of intensive care and surgical patients from the Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo Clinical Surgical Teaching Hospital in El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, to other facilities, contradicting the regime official’s assurances of adequate conditions.
Impacts of Cuba's Energy Crisis on Healthcare
What measures are hospitals in Cuba taking during the blackout?
Hospitals have activated protocols for energy crises, including mobilizing medical staff, assessing backup generators, oxygen supplies, and water systems to prioritize urgent and emergency cases.
How is the water supply issue affecting hospitals in Cuba?
The water supply issue is significant as many hospitals were already depending on trucked water due to drought, and the lack of energy for pumping further complicates the situation.
Are Cuban hospitals equipped to handle the current energy crisis?
While officials claim that hospitals are prepared for emergencies, reports indicate that some facilities, like the Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo Hospital, are struggling to maintain adequate conditions and are transferring patients elsewhere.