Electric Taxis Introduced in Matanzas for Hemodialysis Patients

This past Friday, the province of Matanzas welcomed the arrival of ten electric taxis specifically designated for transporting patients who require hemodialysis treatment. This development was announced by the province's General Health Directorate via their Facebook page, and was also reported by the state-run newspaper, Periódico Girón.

The taxis, manufactured by the Chinese company Dongfeng, are equipped with enhanced suspension for increased stability, operate with minimal noise, and are accessible for individuals with reduced mobility. Importantly, they produce zero emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment.

These vehicles will feature a special "Health" label to ensure easy identification on public roads. The deployment of these units in Matanzas is part of a broader national scheme. Earlier this year, in May, the regime deployed the first half of a 400-vehicle order, with 200 Dongfeng electric cars hitting the streets as promised by Miguel Díaz-Canel in March.

The distribution plan allocates 40 cars to Havana, 20 to Guantánamo, 15 to Granma, 10 to each of the other provinces, and 5 to the Isle of Youth. Collectively, these 200 vehicles are expected to facilitate approximately 400 patient transports daily, which translates to about 10,400 trips each month. Technicians from TaxisCuba have received specialized training from the manufacturer to ensure proper maintenance of these vehicles.

This initiative comes amidst a deepening humanitarian crisis that escalated in February 2026, when prioritized transportation for renal patients collapsed in several provinces due to chronic fuel shortages.

Over 3,000 patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency rely on regular sessions across 57 hemodialysis units scattered throughout the nation. Many of these patients have been forced to pay up to 500 pesos per trip for informal taxi services due to the lack of medical transport.

In June, patients in Camagüey went nearly a week without treatment because of a shortage of chemical supplies.

In a similar move, ten electric taxis were also delivered to Las Tunas on the same Friday, marking a gradual execution of the provincial plan.

While the news was met with mostly positive reactions on social media, some expressed skepticism. Various users praised the arrival of these vehicles as "a positive step amidst the many difficulties Cubans face today," yet others questioned the sustainability of the initiative: "Everything starts well, but it needs to be maintained," and "Let's see how long they last," some wrote.

There were calls for the strict adherence to the intended use of these cars: "Hopefully, they will be used for their social purpose." One comment even doubted the authenticity of images shared by the authorities: "Hopefully, it's true, it would be a great help, but that photo is from Cienfuegos."

In Matanzas, the healthcare transport crisis has spurred other responses: on June 25, a private worker donated an electric tricycle to the Provincial Government for the transport of hemodialysis patients, demonstrating civic solidarity in the face of public system deficiencies.

"This represents a significant step towards ensuring the continuity of a vital treatment, improving the quality of life for those dependent on this service, and providing greater peace of mind for their families," stated the General Health Directorate of Matanzas in their communication.