By Zoila Palma: Cuba’s worsening economic crisis is placing increasing pressure on its healthcare system, with doctors struggling to obtain essential medicines, medical equipment and specialized nutritional supplies for patients, CBS reports.
At William Soler Pediatric Hospital in Havana, medical staff recently treated a severely malnourished two-month-old baby who weighed less than five pounds after being abandoned and brought to the facility by child protective services.
Although doctors initially stabilized the infant, they struggled to obtain specialized nutritional formulas, forcing them to rely on locally available alternatives made from malanga, a starchy root vegetable, and chicken. The baby later developed respiratory complications, was readmitted to intensive care and died.
Medical professionals say shortages are affecting nearly every aspect of healthcare delivery, with cancer medications, anesthetics and laboratory equipment among the supplies in critically short supply.
Reports say some hospitals have experienced electricity interruptions that threaten patients dependent on ventilators and other life-support equipment. Medical staff have reportedly resorted to manually pumping oxygen for critical patients when equipment stops working, while some surgeries have had to continue using cellphone flashlights when generators fail.
The shortages have been compounded by restrictions associated with the longstanding United States trade embargo and additional pressure from the Trump administration, which has threatened sanctions against companies doing business with the Cuban government.
Although Washington maintains that food and medical supplies are not the intended targets of its restrictions, foreign companies have reportedly become reluctant to trade with Cuba because of concerns about potential penalties.
Cuba’s healthcare system is also struggling with an exodus of medical professionals, many of whom have left the country or taken additional jobs to supplement their low salaries.
The post International News: Cuba’s healthcare crisis deepens as sanctions complicate access to medicine and medical supplies appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Cuba’s worsening economic crisis is placing increasing pressure on its healthcare system, with doctors struggling to obtain essential medicines, medical equipment and specialized nutritional supplies for patients, CBS reports. At William Soler Pediatric Hospital in Havana, medical staff recently treated a severely malnourished two-month-old baby who weighed less than five pounds after
The post International News: Cuba’s healthcare crisis deepens as sanctions complicate access to medicine and medical supplies appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.