Employees at the Conrado Benítez Oncology Hospital in Santiago de Cuba have raised concerns over being charged 24 USD for a small gas cylinder for home use. Despite paying upfront, they found themselves waiting for hours on Thursday for the fuel to be delivered.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada reported that hospital staff reached out to him to express their frustration regarding this issue.
Reports indicate that although the gas was paid for on Wednesday, by Thursday afternoon, the delivery vehicle had yet to arrive at the hospital.
This situation is particularly striking because it highlights the demand for foreign currency to purchase essential goods. Cuban state employees are paid in Cuban pesos (CUP), yet in this instance, the gas was priced at 24 USD.
Initially, the chance to buy gas was seen as a relief for those who hadn’t had access to it at home for months. However, according to the accounts, the purchase did not adhere to the state's usual pricing or distribution through local sales outlets.
Out of necessity, many scrambled to gather the required foreign currency. Some workers managed to save up the money gradually, while others relied on family members abroad to obtain the 24 USD. Those unable to muster the funds had to forgo the purchase, as detailed in the journalist's report.
Complications and Concerns Over USD Payments
Those who could afford it gathered early at the Conrado Benítez Oncology Hospital on Thursday to collect the cylinders, yet the vehicle for transport was still absent as the hours passed.
By late afternoon, workers were still waiting, with no clear explanation about the delay, expected arrival time, or source of the already-paid-for gas.
This incident underscores the stark contrast between state salaries in Cuban pesos and the increasing necessity to access key goods with foreign currency.
The report raises further unanswered questions: Who is truly selling these gas cylinders—state enterprises or private entities? Is this a one-time occurrence or a new, ongoing practice? Why is payment required in USD, and who qualifies to make such purchases? What role, if any, does the hospital's management or the Provincial Health Directorate play?
Public Reaction and Financial Burden
The public response included speculation that similar gas sales in USD might soon occur in Bayamo for workers, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Questions also arose regarding eligibility: would the gas purchase opportunity be open to all employees or just select groups?
The demand for foreign currency drew substantial criticism. “We save lives, and they offer us gas at 24 dollars as if they paid us in dollars. It’s a mockery,” one person commented, while another remarked, “As if they paid us in American dollars.”
Concerns about potential profiteering also emerged. Some claimed, without evidence, that individuals were buying gas to resell at prices as high as 60 USD, exploiting the shortage.
Another comment noted that a nearby Bandec branch advertised gas for 29 USD, yet, according to reports, the fuel had not yet been delivered.
Reactions also highlighted worries for those without remittances or foreign currency. “At least they have some option, but what about the others?” asked one individual, while another mentioned that many health workers return home to cook with charcoal due to a lack of electricity and gas.
Some expressed fear of scams due to upfront payments. “How can a worker pay 24 dollars without assurance?” queried one person, while another advised caution against potential fraudulent offers.
Economic Disparities and Gas Shortage Crisis
This contradiction is particularly evident within the healthcare sector: the current salary scale, effective since July, sets the basic monthly wage for a newly graduated doctor at 7,045 CUP, roughly equivalent to 10 USD, payable from the August payroll.
According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security's Resolution 17/2026, the salary for resident doctors is 8,115 CUP (about 12 USD); for first-degree specialists, 8,500 CUP (approximately 13 USD); and for second-degree specialists or those with two specialties, 8,880 CUP (also around 13 USD).
At the Oncology Hospital, the report does not specify only doctors among the buyers but generally refers to the institution's workers, so salaries may vary by position and professional category.
This sale occurs amid a prolonged liquefied gas crisis in Santiago de Cuba and other eastern provinces. In January, CUPET halted gas distribution in Santiago de Cuba and the rest of the east due to supply shortages, driving up informal market prices and forcing many families to seek alternative cooking methods.
At that time, gas cylinders were reported to sell for between 10,000 and 12,000 CUP in some rural areas and up to 50,000 CUP in eastern cities, with many families returning to using wood or charcoal.
The scarcity has continued throughout the year, further inflating prices outside the state system. Just days before the Oncology Hospital's report, an offer appeared in Santiago de Cuba for 65,000 CUP for refilling a cylinder and 75,000 CUP if it included the cylinder itself.
FAQs About Gas Availability and Pricing Issues in Cuba
Why are hospital workers in Santiago de Cuba paying in USD for gas?
The gas was offered at a price of 24 USD despite workers being paid in Cuban pesos, reflecting a growing trend of essentials being sold in foreign currency due to economic conditions.
What is causing the gas shortage in Santiago de Cuba?
The shortage is due to supply issues that have persisted since CUPET suspended gas distribution, leading to increased prices and scarcity in both formal and informal markets.
How are workers managing to pay for gas in USD?
Many workers rely on savings or financial help from relatives abroad to gather the necessary USD, highlighting the economic challenges faced by those paid in CUP.