A purchase totaling 6,800 Cuban pesos—nearly the entire monthly salary of a newly graduated doctor in Cuba—has become the focal point of a viral video highlighting the dire conditions of the island's healthcare system. Alianis Leyva shared a 35-second clip on TikTok, which quickly amassed nearly 400,000 views, sparking widespread outrage across social media.
In the video, Leyva reveals a shopping haul priced at 6,800 CUP, juxtaposing it against the official monthly salary for a newly graduated doctor, set at 7,045 Cuban pesos. This salary, established by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security's Resolution 17/2026 effective from July 1, translates to a mere $10.30 per month at the informal exchange rate of 684 CUP per dollar as of Tuesday.
"It's quite sad that such a crucial profession only affords them a single meal," Leyva lamented in the video.
The recent salary increase, which improved from the previous 4,610 CUP for newly graduated doctors, has been entirely undermined by the peso's rapid devaluation against the dollar—from around 120 CUP per dollar in 2021 to 684 CUP by September 2026.
The Growing Exodus of Medical Professionals
This growing gap between income and living costs is a driving force behind the ongoing exodus of medical professionals from Cuba. A report by El País indicated that over 30,000 doctors had emigrated in the three years leading up to December 2025, alongside 70,000 healthcare workers quitting their jobs.
In July 2025, José Ángel Portal Miranda, the Minister of Public Health, admitted to an "unprecedented structural crisis" in the healthcare system, with only 30% coverage of the basic medication inventory. By March 2026, 80% of locally produced essential medicines were below required levels.
Public Outcry and Social Media Response
At the end of the video, Leyva posed a question to her followers: "Which other profession's salary would you like to see?" The overwhelming response—over 32,000 likes and hundreds of comments—indicates that public discontent with Cuban wages is far from over.
Understanding the Economic Challenges in Cuba's Healthcare
Why are Cuban doctors' salaries so low?
Cuban doctors' salaries are low due to the country's economic challenges, including the devaluation of the Cuban peso and the limitations imposed by the socialist regime which prioritizes state control over market dynamics.
How has the devaluation of the Cuban peso impacted healthcare professionals?
The devaluation of the Cuban peso has severely reduced the purchasing power of healthcare professionals, making it difficult for them to meet basic living expenses, which contributes to the high rates of emigration from the healthcare sector.
What is the current state of the healthcare system in Cuba?
Cuba's healthcare system is facing a structural crisis with a significant shortage of essential medications and a declining number of healthcare professionals due to low wages and poor working conditions.