A resident of the United States, responding to a call for help from Santiago-based activist Nairobis Sánchez, generously donated a crib, a mattress, a mosquito net, hygiene products, food, and 17,000 Cuban pesos to a Cuban family facing severe hardship. Sánchez shared the news on his Facebook account this Thursday.
The family, who had previously suffered a robbery, was highlighted in an earlier post by Sánchez seeking assistance.
The donation arrived at a crucial time: the family's infant, just a few months old, is suffering from severe scabies and cries constantly due to the itching. The hospital currently lacks the necessary medications to treat this condition.
Community Support in Times of Crisis
"I had to travel about 7 kilometers to reach them, but when it comes to helping, fatigue takes a back seat," Sánchez wrote. He personally delivered the donated items to the family, who live in a modest wooden home.
Photos accompanying the post show the little one in the newly received crib, draped with a white mosquito net and clean bedding, with characteristic scabies lesions visible on her body.
Sánchez noted that the baby still requires specific treatment products and urged those who can assist to contact him at +53 63687051. "Every bit of help, no matter how small, can make a difference," he emphasized.
Pharmaceutical Shortage in Cuba
This situation is part of a broader pharmaceutical crisis in Cuba. In July 2026, the Ministry of Public Health admitted that only between 30% and 32% of essential medications were available in the country, with shortages affecting 461 out of 651 drugs nationwide.
BioCubaFarma acknowledged in June that it couldn't guarantee nearly 300 of the 395 medications promised to the national health system.
Scabies, caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, requires treatments like permethrin, benzyl benzoate, or ivermectin, medications that are extremely scarce in Cuban pharmacies.
In infants, the condition is often more severe than in adults, with intense and continuous itching if not treated properly. Outlets like El Toque and Diario Las Américas have reported outbreaks affecting especially babies and families living in overcrowded and impoverished conditions on the island.
Sánchez's Continued Efforts
This is not the first time Sánchez has rallied the diaspora's solidarity for urgent cases in Santiago de Cuba.
In mid-September, he highlighted the plight of a single mother with a baby with Down syndrome and a heart murmur living in extreme poverty. A few days prior, he called for help for a seven-month-old baby whose mother had died, leaving the child hospitalized at the Dr. Juan de la Cruz Martínez Maceira Children's Hospital.
On Wednesday, a similar case drew attention online: a baby in Yaguajay, Sancti Spíritus, with epidermolysis bullosa urgently needed medical supplies, underscoring the Cuban state's failure to provide basic care to the most vulnerable.
"Share this post so more people can see the heart of the Cuban people and the solidarity that emerges when we unite," concluded Sánchez, whose social media efforts have become one of the few effective channels for helping families abandoned by the healthcare system.
FAQs on Community Support and Medical Shortages in Cuba
What prompted the donation from the U.S. resident?
The donation was prompted by a call for help from activist Nairobis Sánchez to support a family in Santiago de Cuba facing severe hardship, including a sick infant.
What is the current state of the pharmaceutical crisis in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing a significant pharmaceutical crisis, with only 30-32% of essential medications available, and shortages reported in 461 out of 651 drugs nationwide.
How does scabies affect infants differently than adults?
In infants, scabies is typically more severe, with intense and continuous itching, especially without proper treatment.
Who is Nairobis Sánchez?
Nairobis Sánchez is a Santiago-based activist known for mobilizing help and raising awareness about urgent cases of need in Cuba, particularly through social media efforts.