Cuba’s universal healthcare system historically based on free, publicly provided medical services, is being pushed toward collapse amid deepening fuel shortages and medicine scarcity, according to Cuban Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda and multiple reports.
Cuba’s healthcare system was already under strain due to longstanding shortages of medical supplies, personnel and medicines. However, in recent weeks the situation has deteriorated sharply following tightened restrictions on fuel supply linked to a blockade on oil imports. The Cuban government reports that the island, which produces only about 40 % of its own fuel, has been unable to sustain essential energy and transport services due to the loss of external sources of oil such as shipments from Venezuela, Mexico and other partners.
The fuel shortage became more acute after a renewed set of tariffs and oil import penalties signed by the United States government targeted countries that provide oil to Cuba, reducing available fuel for critical infrastructure and transport.
According to Minister Portal Miranda, fuel shortages have directly affected:
Ambulances and emergency services struggling to find fuel for operations
Hospitals experiencing power outages that interrupt essential care
Flights carrying medical supplies being suspended due to inability to refuel aircraft
Disruptions to treatment for chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular care, oncology, orthopedics, kidney disease and emergency care
The Cuban government estimates that around 5 million people with chronic conditions will see their medication and treatment regimens affected. Among them are thousands of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, as well as individuals requiring ongoing electrical backup for life-supporting medical devices.
Cuba traditionally operated a free and universal healthcare model, with state-subsidized medicine available through community clinics across the island. But persistent shortages have forced many patients to seek medicines through informal channels such as black markets.
Health officials say resources have been rationed or restricted for more energy-intensive technologies such as CT scans and laboratory diagnostics, forcing clinicians to rely on more basic methods of diagnosis and care. Facilities have installed solar panels and prioritized vulnerable groups, but the shortfall remains significant.
Experts and some international leaders have warned that the deepening crisis could amount to a humanitarian emergency, with cascading effects on food security, water supply, sanitation and public services beyond healthcare. Power outages, rationing of public transport and reduced availability of basic goods have been widely reported.
While not directly tied by law to bans on imports of food and medicine, Cuba’s long-standing struggle with shortages of essential drugs and technologies has been documented in past United Nations reports. These reports attribute deficits in medicine availability to financial restrictions, import barriers and economic blockade conditions that complicate the importation of raw materials and components necessary for pharmaceutical production.
The intersection of energy shortages and medicine scarcity directly affects clinical care outcomes. For patients with life-threatening conditions such as cancer, heart disease or kidney failure, delays in treatment or lack of access to medication can lead to preventable deterioration of health status.
The inability to maintain consistent electrical power can also compromise equipment such as dialysis machines, ventilators and imaging systems that are essential for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Healthcare workers, already stretched thin due to economic conditions and emigration of medical personnel, face increasing challenges in delivering safe and continuous care as resources shrink and critical infrastructure falters. At the same time, Cuba is known for providing a large number of doctors to the world annually. Doctors migrate abroad after graduation which brings a large income to the country.
Some nations and international organizations have expressed concern over the situation. Discussions about humanitarian aid and potential diplomatic engagement have emerged as officials seek to mitigate the impacts on civilian populations, particularly those with chronic and serious health conditions.
(Rh)
