Cuba near 'critical point' as US oil restrictions worsen power and medicine shortages
The United Nations has warned that Cuba’s health system is nearing a “critical point” as fuel shortages deepen power outages and disrupt supplies of essential medicines and services.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the crisis has been driven by Cuba’s inability to import enough fuel, which has invariably triggered an energy emergency that is now hitting hospitals, food distribution and water deliveries.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said hospitals are facing frequent blackouts, shortages of essential medicines and difficulties operating critical equipment, with major disruption to services including oncology care, dialysis, emergency services and maternal and infant care. OCHA said about 16,000 cancer patients need radiotherapy, and more than 12,000 relying on chemotherapy are being affected by power and resource shortages.
Fuel shortages are also limiting ambulance movements and slowing aid operations. OCHA said nearly one million people depend on water delivered by tanker trucks, while more than 80% of water-pumping infrastructure relies on electricity, leading to widespread service disruptions.
The UN said it is engaging member states, including the United States, to ensure humanitarian assistance can be delivered.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
