On Tuesday, numerous kidney patients at the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba were left in the waiting room, uncertain if they would receive the crucial treatment necessary for their survival. This alarming situation was brought to light by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada through a post on Facebook.
The crisis began the previous Saturday when patients managed to undergo dialysis only due to a small donation of concentrate from the Guamá municipality.
By Monday, treatments were delayed, and on Tuesday, patients scheduled for the 5:00 am session were left waiting as they were informed that there was no way to package the essential concentrate required for the procedure.
Although the necessary supplies eventually arrived at the hospital on Tuesday, the problem is far from solved. Patients warned that the supply was insufficient and that they might face the same dire situation again on Thursday.
Compounding the issue, the scarcity of supplies has forced treatments to be reduced from the usual four hours to just two, significantly compromising the effectiveness of the procedure and further endangering the health of those who rely on it.
One affected individual lamented, "No one cares about us. The situation of dialysis patients has been ignored for a long time."
The individuals involved turned to Mayeta Labrada, hoping that public exposure might press health authorities to act quickly and ensure a stable supply, rather than merely responding when the crisis reaches a critical point.
Systemic Failures in Cuban Healthcare
This predicament is not an isolated incident but part of a recurring pattern throughout the country.
In June, patients at the Manuel Ascunce Domenech Hospital in Camagüey went nearly a week without treatment due to a shortage of acid concentrate and bicarbonate. In April, Las Tunas provincial authorities threatened to suspend prioritized transport for kidney patients due to a lack of fuel. Furthermore, in February, medical transportation was halted in multiple provinces, leaving patients without access to dialysis units.
The Saturnino Lora Hospital itself has a history of issues: in April, an ICU blackout necessitated the evacuation of 12 intensive and intermediate care patients, and in December 2025, the nearby Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital halted dialysis due to a shortage of disinfectant salt.
The collapse of the system is acknowledged even by the regime's own authorities. Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda admitted in February that the Cuban healthcare system was "on the brink of collapse," and by July 2025, he conceded that the country was operating with only 30% of its essential medication list.
Cuba has approximately 3,000 patients dependent on hemodialysis, spread across 56 units nationwide.
As a partial response to the transport crisis, the regime introduced 200 electric vehicles in May for patient transport. However, those affected see this as inadequate, as the problem extends far beyond mobility; the persistent shortage of essential chemical supplies poses a direct threat to their lives every week.
Mayeta Labrada concluded his report by stating, "Health should not depend on a last-minute supply. For these patients, each hour of waiting can mean the difference between life and death."
Understanding the Hemodialysis Crisis in Cuba
What caused the hemodialysis supply crisis in Santiago de Cuba?
The crisis was triggered by a shortage of essential dialysis concentrate, which forced patients to wait without knowing if they would receive the necessary treatment.
How are dialysis treatments being affected by the shortage?
Due to the shortage, treatments have been reduced from the usual four hours to just two, compromising their effectiveness and endangering patients' health.
What steps has the Cuban regime taken to address the transportation crisis for dialysis patients?
In May, the regime introduced 200 electric vehicles to aid in the transportation of dialysis patients, though this measure is seen as insufficient by those affected.