Cuban Health Minister Acknowledges Severe Hospital Issues, Denies Any Closures

Cuba's Health Minister, José Ángel Portal Miranda, has acknowledged significant operational challenges within the nation's hospitals and healthcare facilities. These issues range from shortages of medicines and medical equipment to broken elevators, boilers, water systems, and power generators.

Despite these obstacles, Portal Miranda maintained that no healthcare facility has had to shut its doors.

His statements were published this Sunday in the official newspaper Granma, following the conclusion of a visit by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) to the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) and several sector institutions, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel.

Economic and Technological Constraints

In his evaluation, Portal Miranda acknowledged that economic, technological, health, and organizational constraints are impacting the healthcare system's performance, leading to "justified dissatisfaction among the population with the services we provide."

The minister admitted that the shortage of medicines remains critical, with a lack of consumables, test reagents, and high-tech medical equipment undermining the capacity of healthcare centers to diagnose and treat illnesses.

Infrastructure Challenges

But the problems go beyond medication shortages. Portal described issues with elevators, boilers, power generators, laundry equipment, water supply, cold storage, and medical transport, along with other systems crucial for the operation of hospitals and clinics.

The MINSAP head acknowledged that there are programs aimed at restoring some of this infrastructure, but conceded that efforts so far have been insufficient to address the issues.

Continuity of Healthcare Services

Despite the bleak scenario, Portal asserted that the country's healthcare network remains operational: "No institution has closed in the country; all our hospitals and clinics continue to function, and while some services have been limited, none have been shut down," he affirmed.

He also stated that the healthcare system continues to maintain high levels of medical consultations and surgeries, though he admitted that some patients are waiting for surgical procedures primarily due to resource shortages.

According to Portal, surgical activities continue to be planned, with priority given to operations crucial for patients' survival.

US Sanctions and Internal Shortcomings

The minister partially attributed the challenges to reduced financial resources and US sanctions but also recognized "internal deficiencies and shortcomings" within the Cuban healthcare system.

During the same meeting, Díaz-Canel reiterated that over 90,000 people are awaiting surgeries in Cuba, while tens of thousands of patients face difficulties accessing radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and dialysis treatments.

He also pointed out that more than 34,000 pregnant women are not receiving all the necessary treatments or medical check-ups.

These issues were previously acknowledged by the president in August, when he reported that 98,500 patients were waiting for surgery, including around 12,000 children, and that approximately 34,000 pregnant women were not receiving necessary prenatal ultrasounds.

At that time, Díaz-Canel also admitted that only 30% of essential medications were available, leaving seven out of ten essential drugs beyond patients' reach.