On Monday, the Cuban News Agency (ACN) featured an article highlighting family planning consultations in Holguín as a key strength of the nation's healthcare system. This comes against a backdrop of an ongoing shortage of condoms at pharmacies throughout Cuba.
The official report states that the Provincial Health Directorate is focusing on sexual and reproductive health care through multidisciplinary teams stationed across the 14 municipalities and 42 health areas in Holguín.
Dr. Daisy Maritza San José Pérez, a gynecologist-obstetrician, informed ACN that these consultations guide patients on contraceptive options such as intrauterine devices, pills, and subdermal implants. Nevertheless, the article fails to address the absence of condoms, a shortage that has been a recurring complaint over recent years.
The report concludes by stating that "Cuba provides these services to women and families free of charge, despite the country's challenging economic conditions," as part of the government's policy to protect reproductive health and encourage birth rates.
However, the lack of condoms remains a significant hurdle for the population in accessing contraceptive methods.
Cuba is heavily reliant on imports and international donations to supply condoms. In 2020, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) donated over half a million condoms to help alleviate the shortage on the island.
The scarcity has even been acknowledged by health officials. In 2022, Manuel Romero Placeres, then head of the National HIV Prevention and Control Program, conceded that the limited availability of condoms was the main barrier to preventing new infections.
This issue is particularly pressing in Holguín, a province with one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in the country. Official data indicates this rate is at 22.3%, above the national average, while authorities continue to promote family planning initiatives.
The situation coincides with a severe demographic crisis. In 2025, Cuba recorded only 68,051 births, the lowest number since modern statistical records began, with a total fertility rate of 1.29 children per woman, insufficient for generational replacement.
The shortage of contraceptives is part of broader challenges facing Cuba's healthcare system. Recent years have seen difficulties in securing medications, medical supplies, and fuel necessary for the operation of hospitals and other health services amid the country's prolonged economic crisis.
The Condom Shortage Crisis in Cuba: Key Questions Answered
Why is there a shortage of condoms in Cuba?
Cuba relies predominantly on imports and international donations for its condom supply. Economic challenges and logistical issues have led to a persistent shortage in pharmacies.
How does the condom shortage affect public health in Cuba?
The lack of condoms hinders efforts to prevent sexually transmitted infections and manage reproductive health, posing significant public health risks.