The Provincial Transport Directorate of Villa Clara announced on Wednesday that ten out of the 20 electric vehicles procured for transporting hemodialysis patients have arrived in the province and are "almost operational," as noted by the agency on its social media platforms.
According to the official statement, the remaining ten vehicles are expected to arrive "in the coming days" to complete the fleet of 20 units allocated to the region. These vehicles are funded by the Ministry of Transport through the Transport Development Fund.
Each vehicle is marked with "Taxi Agency / Valle de Yari" decals and is operated by personnel dressed in institutional yellow uniforms.
This fleet of 20 vehicles is part of a national batch of 200 Dongfeng Box 01 electric cars that the regime launched on May 19, 2026, to serve more than 3,000 patients with chronic kidney disease who require regular sessions at 57 hemodialysis centers across the country.
The vehicles are equipped with a 42.3 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 430 km per charge and seating capacity for five individuals. Their charging stations will operate independently of the national electric grid, supported by photovoltaic backup.
In addition to transporting patients for dialysis sessions, these cars will also be used for medical discharges, oncology appointments, and other healthcare activities.
The 200 vehicles represent the first half of a promised fleet of 400, as declared by Miguel Díaz-Canel on March 13, 2026, amid a severe healthcare transport crisis that persisted throughout the first half of the year.
In Villa Clara, the fuel shortage halted the prioritized taxis for these patients, forcing many to pay up to 500 pesos per trip or remain hospitalized indefinitely.
Back in March 2026, the province had to resort to electric tricycles as an emergency measure to ensure transports to the "Arnaldo Milián Castro" Provincial Hospital in Santa Clara, which serves 144 hemodialysis patients organized into five weekly shifts.
The crisis isn't confined to Villa Clara: On June 14, a mother in Granma reported being denied fuel for her son's dialysis transport, and the Ministry of Public Health itself acknowledged that the ambulance system covered less than 40% of national demand.
In Las Tunas, on April 28, authorities threatened to suspend prioritized taxis for these patients due to fuel shortages, while Granma operated with only 17 out of the 54 ambulances it required, as reported by the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap).
Despite official announcements, the structural crisis remains: Minsap admitted in June 2026 that the ambulance system covers less than 40% of national demand, highlighting that even with the addition of 200 electric vehicles, the healthcare transport collapse in Cuba remains unresolved.
Understanding Cuba's Healthcare Transport Challenges
What is the purpose of the electric cars in Villa Clara?
The electric cars in Villa Clara are intended to transport hemodialysis patients to and from their treatment sessions, as well as assist with other medical transport needs.
Why are these vehicles important for healthcare in Cuba?
These vehicles are critical because they address the severe transportation crisis affecting patients who depend on regular medical treatments, such as those with chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis.
What challenges are faced in Cuba's healthcare transport system?
Cuba's healthcare transport system is challenged by fuel shortages and insufficient ambulances, covering less than 40% of the national demand, which leads to significant transport issues for patients in need.