Havana's healthcare network has reached a breaking point as frequent blackouts force surgical teams to illuminate operating rooms with mobile phones and manually ventilate patients. The emergency worsened dramatically after the January capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro disrupted vital oil shipments, leaving Cuba with just one tanker arrival since early January. While Cuban officials concede that internal administrative choices contributed to the breakdown, doctors are routinely turning patients away due to absent resources. At Havana's William Soler Pediatric Hospital, these acute shortages recently contributed to the death of a malnourished infant who had to be fed substitutes…
Key points
The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro cut off essential oil supplies, accele…: The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro cut off essential oil supplies, accelerating the collapse of Cuba's energy and healthcare infrastructure.
Heightened United States economic sanctions in 2026 targeted island fuel imports through…: Heightened United States economic sanctions in 2026 targeted island fuel imports through tariff threats against third-party supplying nations.
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío acknowledged that domestic gover…: Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío acknowledged that domestic government decisions share responsibility for the worsening national crisis.
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Cuba's healthcare system is facing mounting pressure as shortages of medicines, medical equipment, food and fuel disrupt hospital operations and leave doctors struggling to provide essential treatment. The crisis has intensified amid renewed US sanctions and restrictions on supplies entering the Caribbean island, raising concerns over the impact of Washington's pressure campaign on ordinary Cubans.
According to a report by CBS News' 60 Minutes, doctors at William Soler Pediatric Hospital in Havana are struggling to treat patients amid severe shortages of essential supplies.
The report highlighted the case of a two-month-old malnourished baby who required specialised infant formula that was difficult to obtain. Doctors had to rely on locally available alternatives, including preparations made from malanga, a starchy root vegetable, and chicken.
The baby later developed respiratory complications, was readmitted to the intensive care unit and died on Thursday, CBS News reported, citing the hospital's intensive care unit head, Dr Alejandro Chong.
The situation reflects the growing strain on Cuba's healthcare system, where shortages of essential medicines and equipment are compounding the difficulties faced by doctors and patients.
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