In the town of Manatí, Las Tunas, a Cuban mother has devised an ingenious method to keep her diabetic son's insulin safe during power outages. Her approach involves carefully wrapping the insulin and lowering it into a well, where the temperature remains between 50 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lili Romero shared a video of her method on Facebook, explaining that without refrigeration, insulin can lose its effectiveness. The video was recorded after Manatí had already endured 25 to 26 hours without electricity. Romero noted in her post, "That was yesterday. Today, we're still in the dark, 46 hours and counting."
In the video, Romero states, "Here's my creativity at work. This is how I cope. It's my way of ensuring my son's insulin doesn't spoil," as she demonstrates placing the insulin into the well.
She voices the frustration of many Cuban families: "Every day, it's the same struggle. If the insulin spoils, how does a diabetic survive this ordeal?" Her poignant question in the video captures the exhaustion felt by thousands: "Do you think this is living? Being forced to live off the land as if we were indigenous people. How long will this go on, folks? For God's sake! Is change even possible?"
Responses to her post ranged from empathy to cynicism. One commenter wrote, "Creative resilience, my friend," while another added, "Thank God you have a well." A third sarcastically remarked, "It's the blockade's fault."
On September 9, Romero had already vented on social media after a 22-hour blackout in Manatí. Two days later, she revealed that her area receives only one hour and 45 minutes of electricity daily.
Insulin should be stored between 36 and 46°F. Prolonged exposure to heat can degrade it, rendering it ineffective or even dangerous. In October 2024, a 13-year-old girl with type 1 diabetes in Havana died under circumstances related to power outages and potentially compromised insulin efficacy.
Earlier this year, in June, a mother in Villa Clara reported that her 10-year-old daughter with type 1 diabetes was at risk due to a lack of insulin, depleted supplies, and a broken pharmacy refrigerator, with temperatures exceeding 95°F.
The well in Manatí has become a stark symbol of survival amid Cuba's energy crisis, highlighting the challenges faced by families who rely on medications that the socialist regime fails to keep cold and available.
Challenges of Managing Diabetes in Cuba's Energy Crisis
Why is insulin storage a problem during power outages in Cuba?
Insulin requires refrigeration to maintain its efficacy. Without electricity, the heat can degrade the medication, making it ineffective or even dangerous for those with diabetes.
What creative solution did Lili Romero use to preserve insulin?
Lili Romero ingeniously used a well to keep her son's insulin cool during power outages, where the temperature is naturally lower than the surroundings.
What are the broader implications of the energy crisis on health in Cuba?
The energy crisis severely impacts healthcare, particularly for those relying on medications like insulin. It underscores the failures of the Cuban regime to provide basic needs and healthcare solutions.