This past Saturday, a Cuban woman took to social media to expose the dire situation at the Julián Grimau teaching clinic, situated on Calzada de Diez de Octubre between Maceo and Ribera in Havana's Arroyo Naranjo district. The facility is facing critical challenges in providing medical services due to persistent power outages.
Isa Iris Arzola shared her concerns in the Facebook group "Empresa eléctrica de la Habana," where she directly questioned the local Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in Arroyo Naranjo, asking how long patients would have to endure these shortages.
"Where is the medical power?" she concluded in her post.
According to her account, the absence of electricity prevents the sterilization of nozzles used for aerosol treatments and hampers the execution of electrocardiograms and X-rays. This situation has forced some patients to bring their own nozzles for treatment.
"I can attest to that," commented another individual, recounting a recent visit to the clinic during an asthma attack. The doctor had inquired if the patient had a personal nozzle, as the clinic only had one and couldn't sterilize it due to the power issues.
The complaint sparked further scrutiny of the clinic's energy infrastructure. One commentator noted the roof was covered with solar panels but claimed only four were operational.
Others questioned the whereabouts of the generators and power plants meant to keep the clinic functional during outages.
The grievances extended beyond this clinic to other health centers across the capital. In the Eléctrico neighborhood clinic, one person reported that consultations couldn't proceed normally, and the physiotherapy and dentistry departments were virtually closed due to the lack of electricity.
In Luyanó, another user pointed out the absence of a working blood pressure monitor, sarcastically summarizing the situation: "Medical Power? That's further away than the U.S."
A more blunt comment from Old Havana stated, "The medical power has left this country," alluding to the Cuban government's long-standing narrative portraying the healthcare system as a key achievement of the 1959 revolution.
While the social media posts don't independently verify every reported shortcoming, they reflect widespread dissatisfaction linking power outages to the disruption or reduction of essential medical services in various Havana clinics.
The breakdown of primary healthcare in Havana is part of a broader health and energy crisis acknowledged, albeit partially, by the government.
In February, Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda warned that the system was "on the brink of collapse." By April, over 70% of essential medications were unavailable in state pharmacies.
Prolonged blackouts stemming from the worsening energy crisis have severely hindered service delivery. Without power, X-rays, ultrasounds, clinical laboratories, and nebulization equipment are rendered inoperative.
In July, a citizen complaint highlighted the poor service conditions at a clinic in Güira de Melena, Artemisa, operating without medications and with solar panels barely powering a few lights.
In September, a Cuban woman expressed her frustration after being unable to vaccinate her granddaughter at the Cristóbal Labra clinic in La Lisa due to an unresolved electrical failure lasting two months.
The UN warned in September that power outages in Cuba threaten the vaccination of around 70,000 children and the operation of incubators and ventilators nationwide.
Understanding Cuba's Healthcare and Energy Crisis
What are the main causes of the healthcare crisis in Cuba?
The healthcare crisis in Cuba is largely due to the country's severe energy shortages, which disrupt the operation of medical equipment and services. Additionally, the lack of essential medications in state pharmacies exacerbates the problem.
How are power outages affecting healthcare services in Havana?
The frequent power outages in Havana are causing significant disruptions in healthcare services. Clinics are unable to perform necessary procedures such as sterilizations, X-rays, and ultrasounds, severely limiting their ability to provide adequate care.
What solutions have been proposed to address the power outages in clinics?
Some proposed solutions include utilizing solar panels and backup generators to ensure a continuous power supply. However, there are reports of inadequate connections and maintenance, limiting their effectiveness.