Cuban doctors face shortages and power outages amid U.S. sanctions

A 2-month-old baby, who had been abandoned and brought to a Havana hospital by protective services, died after suffering respiratory complications and being readmitted to the ICU. The infant had initially been stabilized but required specialized formulas, many of which are imported from the United States.

Dr. Alejandro Chong, head of the ICU at William Soler Pediatric Hospital, explained that doctors must use formulas made from malanga, a starchy root vegetable, and chicken due to restrictions on U.S. imports. These alternatives are not ideal for treating malnourished infants.

Power outages have become a daily challenge for Cuban hospitals. When electricity fails, generators kick in, but the brief gap between the outage and the generator's activation can be critical for patients under anesthesia or on ventilators. Doctors have resorted to using cellphone light for surgeries and manually pumping oxygen when ventilators fail.

The U.S. sanctions have exacerbated Cuba's longstanding economic and infrastructure challenges. Since early January, only a single tanker of oil has reached the country, crippling the electrical grid. Cuban officials said this has worsened the already dire situation for medical care and daily life.

Many doctors in Cuba are struggling to make ends meet. Dr. Chong earns more from his food stand than from his ICU work. Dr. Lórien Rodríguez, a second-year resident, supports herself by working as a radio announcer. Both said the lack of personnel and resources has made their work significantly more difficult.

Cuba's deputy foreign minister, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, acknowledged the government's responsibility for the crisis but blamed U.S. sanctions for worsening the situation. He called for a change in U.S. policy, arguing that the current approach is unsustainable and unacceptable.