The Governor of St. Petersburg, Aleksandr Beglov, has announced the dispatch of three ambulances along with a Lada Iskra to Cuba, aimed at bolstering the island's healthcare system.
In a Facebook post, Russia's Embassy in Cuba stated that these vehicles are part of a donation intended to "improve" medical care in Havana, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba.
Beglov personally inspected the vehicles and confirmed that this delivery fulfills their pledge to provide three ambulances to their "Cuban friends," enabling residents in these regions to receive "high-quality" medical attention.
He further noted that the ambulances are equipped with the "most modern medical equipment" manufactured in St. Petersburg, and that Russian specialists will assist Cuban colleagues with the operation and maintenance of the vehicles.
According to the shared information, during a visit to Cuba in November, Beglov handed over the vehicle certificates to the provincial governors of Havana, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba.
The report specifies that the vehicles will be loaded into containers and shipped to the island by sea in mid-January.
The detailed description mentions that the ambulances come equipped with ventilators, electrocardiographs, pressure regulators, inhalers, electric aspirators, thermally insulated containers, and gas distribution systems.
This donation comes amid a prolonged shortage of ambulances in Cuba, which has persisted for several years.
On numerous occasions, patients have died while waiting for this critical service.
Last June, an elderly man died after being struck by a bus from the Transgaviota company in Havana's Playa municipality, without receiving timely medical attention as more than 45 minutes passed before an ambulance arrived, during which the man, initially showing vital signs, succumbed.
In April, an ambulance ended up partially embedded in the wall of a dilapidated building in the city of Cienfuegos.
This incident adds to a troubling list of similar occurrences over recent months in Cuba. In January, an ambulance was involved in an accident in Matanzas under unclear circumstances.
Other recent cases include ambulances being destroyed after colliding with trucks, tourist cars, and even horse-drawn carts. These situations illustrate a growing trend of risk that threatens both medical personnel and patients.
Most of these vehicles show obvious signs of wear, lack of maintenance, and age, which increases the chances of accidents, especially given the deteriorating state of Cuba's road infrastructure.
Challenges Facing Cuban Healthcare Infrastructure
Why is there a shortage of ambulances in Cuba?
Cuba has been experiencing a shortage of ambulances due to a combination of factors including economic constraints, poor maintenance, and an aging fleet of vehicles. This has been exacerbated by the challenging road infrastructure and limited resources for upgrades and repairs.
What efforts are being made to improve medical services in Cuba?
Efforts to enhance medical services in Cuba include international donations such as the recent provision of ambulances from Russia. Additionally, collaborations with foreign specialists aim to improve the operation and maintenance of medical equipment.
How do recent accidents impact the healthcare system in Cuba?
Recent accidents involving ambulances contribute to the strain on Cuba's healthcare system by reducing the already limited number of operational emergency vehicles, increasing response times, and potentially endangering both medical staff and patients.