The Cuban regime, whose voluntary blood donation program has weakened in recent years due to increasing migration, has launched several campaigns to mark the 98th anniversary of Fidel Castro's birth.
The Havana Citizen Portal announced on its website that the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) have called for mass blood donations on Monday, August 12, and Tuesday, August 13, as a gesture to commemorate Fidel Castro's birthday, once again highlighting the political instrumentalization of these campaigns.
According to the announcement, blood donations can be made on these two days at the Provincial Blood Bank and extraction centers in each municipality.
"At the 23 y 2 Blood Bank in the Vedado neighborhood of the Plaza de la Revolución municipality, donations start from 7:00 AM today (Sunday)," the note specified.
The requirements for donating include being between 18 and 60 years old and weighing more than 50 kg. Women cannot be breastfeeding, pregnant, or within six months post-delivery.
Furthermore, donors must not have been vaccinated in the past 30 days, must be healthy, and should not be taking any medication seven days before donating. Diabetics should not be on insulin, and hypertensive individuals must have their condition under control.
Earlier this month, significant outrage erupted among parents in Villa Clara when their children, who are serving in the Active Military Service, were forced to donate blood and threatened with additional night guard duties if they refused.
The Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and Press echoed the parents' indignation on Facebook, denouncing that young men in the military service are being forced to donate blood: "They are threatened with losing visitation rights to their homes or increased frequency of night guards."
In Santiago de Cuba last July, the family of a man who suffered a car accident urgently needed blood donations due to its scarcity in the hospital. A few months ago, digital platforms circulated requests for blood for a girl and a young accident victim, while activist Yoelkis Torres Tápanes turned to social media to seek blood donations for his mother’s surgery in late 2023 in Matanzas.
In March, another Cuban pleaded for help as his mother had been waiting for over a week: "I need a blood donation in Pilón, Granma. There are donors, but supposedly the hospital has no blood bags," explained the internet user Alexis Vargas in a video posted on Facebook.
FAQs about Blood Donation in Cuba
This section addresses common questions and concerns regarding blood donation in Cuba, especially in the context of the recent campaigns related to Fidel Castro's birthday.
Why is the Cuban regime launching blood donation campaigns now?
The campaigns are being launched to mark the 98th anniversary of Fidel Castro's birth, and to address the weakened voluntary blood donation program due to increasing migration.
What are the requirements for donating blood in Cuba?
Donors must be between 18 and 60 years old, weigh more than 50 kg, and not have been vaccinated in the past 30 days. Women cannot be breastfeeding, pregnant, or within six months post-delivery. Donors should also be healthy and not on any medication seven days before donating.
Are there any reports of forced blood donations in Cuba?
Yes, there have been reports of young men serving in the Active Military Service being forced to donate blood and threatened with additional night guard duties if they refuse.
How is the blood shortage affecting Cuban hospitals?
The blood shortage is critically affecting Cuban hospitals, leading to urgent public appeals for blood donations for accident victims and patients needing surgery.