As 2025 comes to a close, Cuba is witnessing an alarming rise in infant mortality, with the rate climbing to 9.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. This marks the highest level recorded in over twenty years, as stated by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz on Friday.
This statistic highlights a significant decline compared to the previous year when the rate was 7.0. It underscores the deepening crisis within Cuba's healthcare system, which is plagued by shortages of medications, supplies, medical staff, and inadequate hospital conditions.
“Despite the measures taken, infant mortality is worsening,” Marrero acknowledged during a Council of Ministers meeting in Havana.
He affirmed that the government continues to implement the Program to strengthen the National Health System, though with only “modest outcomes.”
Challenges Facing the Cuban Health System
Marrero admitted that the country’s complex epidemiological situation, exacerbated by outbreaks of arboviruses, dengue, and chikungunya, has demanded a “greater effort” from the health system, yet the main negative indicators persist unchanged.
According to the prime minister, the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) and BioCubaFarma are operating “closed currency schemes” with access to $200 million for purchasing medicines and medical equipment.
However, he conceded that these funds remain “insufficient” to ensure a stable supply of essential medicines, which are severely impacted by scarcity and lack of foreign currency.
Efforts to Improve Healthcare Quality
“Some progress has been made in recovering the quality of services, but the income is still inadequate to achieve better results,” the official noted, painting a grim picture of the national health crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Health Crisis
What is the current infant mortality rate in Cuba?
As of 2025, Cuba's infant mortality rate is 9.8 per 1,000 live births, the highest in over two decades.
What factors are contributing to the rising infant mortality rate in Cuba?
The increase in infant mortality is attributed to shortages of medications, supplies, medical staff, and poor hospital conditions, alongside outbreaks of diseases such as arboviruses, dengue, and chikungunya.
How is the Cuban government addressing the healthcare crisis?
The government is implementing a Program to strengthen the National Health System and has allocated $200 million for purchasing medicines and equipment, although these efforts have yielded only modest results.