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NEW YORK Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Latin America

Cuba's doctors face shortages and power outages amid U.S. sanctions

Doctors in Cuba struggle with critical shortages of medical supplies and frequent power outages.

New York Editorial News Desk November 1, 2026 1 min read

The Brief

  • A 2-month-old baby was treated for dehydration and malnutrition at a Havana hospital.
  • Doctors use alternative formulas made from local ingredients due to U.S. sanctions.
  • Power outages force hospitals to rely on generators and cellphone light for surgeries.

A 2-month-old baby was rushed to the intensive care unit at William Soler Pediatric Hospital in Havana after being found abandoned and suffering from dehydration and malnutrition. The infant weighed less than 5 pounds and required specialized formulas, many of which are imported from the United States, according to Dr. Alejandro Chong, head of the ICU.

Doctors in Cuba are forced to use formulas made from malanga, a starchy root vegetable, and chicken due to the lack of U.S.-imported medical supplies. These compromises are common in the medical field, as Cuba has long relied on imports, now made more difficult by new U.S. sanctions.

Cuba has been under a U.S. trade embargo for decades, but recent restrictions under the Trump administration have intensified the challenges. Foreign companies are hesitant to sell food and medical supplies to Cuba due to the risk of U.S. penalties, despite Washington’s claim that it does not intend to restrict essential goods.

Power outages have become a critical issue, with only a single tanker of oil reaching the island since early January, according to Cuban officials. This has crippled the country’s electrical grid, forcing hospitals to rely on generators. The brief moments between power outages and generator activation can be life-threatening for patients under anesthesia or on ventilators.

Doctors have had to use cellphone light for surgeries when generators fail, and manually pump oxygen for patients when ventilators stop working. Many doctors, including Chong, have taken second jobs to make ends meet, as the profession is both exhausting and poorly paid.

Dr. Lórien Rodríguez, a second-year pediatric surgery resident, supports herself by working as a radio announcer. She said the shortage of personnel and resources has made their work significantly more difficult. Doctors report that cancer drugs, anesthetics, and lab equipment are in critically short supply, with some patients being told they cannot be helped due to these shortages.

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