Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel has suggested that Cuba should "expand" telemedicine services across the nation, aiming to establish the necessary interconnections to ensure this healthcare service "reaches everywhere." His vision includes extending telemedicine to polyclinics and further, to local clinics.
During a recent address, Díaz-Canel acknowledged the existence of "concrete" developments within the telemedicine sector, emphasizing that the next step is to scale these solutions nationwide.
This proposition arises in the context of a country enduring a prolonged energy crisis, sparking criticism and skepticism regarding the feasibility of enhancing digital services that are reliant on electricity and connectivity. Notably, in his statement, Díaz-Canel did not address power outages or elaborate on how the technical requirements for this expansion would be met.
He stated that the nation is already witnessing solutions that are "developed" and "tangible," and the current challenge is to disseminate them while building the interconnections necessary for telemedicine to effectively operate throughout the country.
"I believe our aspiration, which we must achieve, is for it to reach the level of polyclinics and from polyclinics to local clinics," he remarked.
Telemedicine is not a novel concept in Cuba; however, its journey has been marked by distinct phases. From initial trials and pilots to institutional networks (primarily associated with INFOMED and reference hospitals), the recent push has been towards "generalizing" its use in primary care. Concurrently, the Comercializadora de Servicios Médicos Cubanos (CSMC) is packaging services for foreign patients.
On April 21, 1999, Cuba officially "launched" the Telemedicine Network at the Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras, with a project focused on diagnosis ("Telemedicine Project for Diagnosis") to enhance services and reduce material costs.
The Telemedicine Program once grouped 18 second-level institutions for image exchange. Santiago de Cuba was notable for conducting second-opinion consultations between provincial hospitals and the reference center (Hermanos Ameijeiras).
However, the economic crisis constrained the national expansion of these solutions, though subsequent local initiatives emerged.
Earlier this month, Granma published a report highlighting how the CSMC is "enhancing" telemedicine as a means to broaden healthcare access, listing services such as telediagnosis, online consultations and second opinions, teleadvice or remote monitoring, as well as teleconferences linked to specialists and reference institutions.
Challenges and Opportunities for Telemedicine in Cuba
What are the main obstacles to implementing telemedicine in Cuba?
The primary challenges include the ongoing energy crisis, which affects the availability of electricity needed for digital services, and the lack of sufficient technological infrastructure for widespread connectivity.
How is CSMC contributing to the growth of telemedicine in Cuba?
CSMC is promoting telemedicine by packaging services for international patients and enhancing telemedicine offerings such as telediagnosis, online consultations, and remote monitoring to extend healthcare access.