Officials from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have reported that widespread shortages of electricity, fuel, medicine, and medical supplies in Cuba are severely disrupting emergency services, blood banks, laboratories, vaccination programs, and maternal and child health services. Following a three-day visit, the officials stated that Cuba’s healthcare system is under increasing pressure.
Surgeries and Treatments Delayed
Power outages, some lasting up to 20 hours in certain areas, have forced hospitals to suspend non-emergency surgeries. Fuel scarcity limits ambulance services, delaying access to critical care. Over 100,000 patients, including 11,000 children, are awaiting surgeries postponed due to electricity cuts and a lack of supplies. Approximately five million people with chronic illnesses face the risk of interruptions in life-saving treatments, with 16,000 awaiting radiotherapy and 12,000 undergoing chemotherapy. Officials noted, “The humanitarian cost is significant and continues to grow.”
Pregnant Women and Children at Risk
Maternal and newborn care are also heavily impacted. More than 32,000 pregnant women face increased risks due to restrictions on access to stable electricity required to operate life-saving equipment in diagnostic, transport, and neonatal units. OCHA official Edem Wosornu described a situation where staff had to carry water up stairs during childbirth because pumps were not functioning. He also added that transportation disruptions are hindering vegetable and meat deliveries, leading to malnutrition among many pregnant women.
Outages Increase Disease Risk
Disruptions to water, sanitation, and cooling systems are heightening the risk of vector-borne and water-borne diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya. While routine vaccination programs continue, they are under increasing strain due to cold chain interruptions, transportation limitations, and supply shortages. Wosornu characterized the situation as a complex crisis with growing humanitarian consequences, extending beyond traditional natural disaster responses.
Calls for Urgent Support
Despite the deteriorating situation, OCHA and WHO officials praised the resilience of local health workers and communities. They noted that doctors and nurses continue to care for patients despite severe shortages and challenging working conditions. Wosornu emphasized, “Life-saving assistance must reach people without delay. Acting fast and working together is the only way to stop the situation from worsening. We cannot afford another humanitarian crisis.”
