The Cuban government has announced a significant cutback in medical services across the island, introducing a series of drastic measures aimed at preventing the healthcare sector from collapsing amidst the ongoing fuel crisis.
During a national television broadcast, José Ángel Portal Miranda, the Minister of Public Health, outlined these new measures, candidly acknowledging the severe challenges facing the healthcare system. He assured the public that every patient would receive necessary care.
"Surgical activities will be scaled down. Surgical procedures consume a substantial amount of electricity," the minister stated, emphasizing that this decision is not solely about energy consumption but also about ensuring the minimum safety conditions for patients.
According to Portal Miranda, maintaining the usual rate of surgeries "requires more intensive care beds and observation beds," a capacity that the current system is unable to consistently provide.
"For safety reasons, hospitals must focus on and support surgeries that cannot be delayed," he added.
The Health Minister revealed that the government has started implementing "organizational and resource rationalization measures covering various aspects of the health sector."
He stressed that the intention is not to abandon the principles that have historically defined the system but to "meaningfully preserve essential services."
However, he acknowledged that the system is undergoing "difficult times" due to the limited availability of resources.
The measures include reducing staff in medical institutions, decreasing the movement of both workers and patients, and reorganizing services in clinics without reliable electricity backup.
Regarding ambulances, Portal Miranda assured that they have sufficient fuel for special cases, although he noted that there is a shortage of these vehicles nationwide.
He admitted, "The lack of medications is a reality," noting that these shortages not only directly impact the population but also complicate the system further.
Priorities will remain focused on programs such as maternal and child health, cancer patients, individuals with terminal illnesses, and those whose survival depends on medical equipment.
Addressing power outages, the minister explicitly linked them to the reduction in services: "Almost all diagnostic tools require electrical support, so we have to consider the timing of their use," urging doctors to rely on clinical diagnoses and prioritize only "unpostponable" studies.
In the realm of surgeries, he emphasized that only "urgent, emergency, or conditions that cannot wait" will be performed.
In conclusion, Portal Miranda appealed for public understanding and promised to "transparently explain" each decision, while the government explores alternatives like natural medicine, telemedicine, and shorter hospital stays. Nevertheless, he admitted that "the underlying issues will not be resolved" in the current context.
Understanding Cuba's Healthcare Challenges
Why is Cuba reducing its medical services?
Cuba is reducing its medical services due to a critical fuel shortage, which has significantly impacted the energy-dependent healthcare sector. The government is implementing measures to prevent the system from collapsing.
What types of surgeries will be prioritized in Cuba?
In Cuba, only urgent and emergency surgeries, as well as conditions that cannot wait, will be prioritized amidst the current healthcare adjustments.
How is the Cuban government addressing medication shortages?
The Cuban government acknowledges the medication shortages and is focusing on maintaining essential services, although the limited availability of resources makes this a complex challenge.