Blackouts and shortages disrupt healthcare across Cuba

Shortages of electricity, fuel, medicine and medical supplies are severely disrupting emergency care, blood banks, laboratories, immunization programmes and maternal and child health services, Edem Wosornu of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Altaf Musani of the World Health Organization (WHO) told journalists in New York via video link.

Their briefing followed a three-day visit to the island nation.

Surgeries and treatments delayed

The officials described a healthcare system under mounting strain as hospitals struggle to maintain basic services amid worsening shortages and power outages. In some areas, blackouts lasting up to 20 hours have forced hospitals to suspend non-emergency operations, while fuel shortages continue limiting ambulance services and delaying access to critical care.

More than 100,000 patients, including 11,000 children, are waiting for surgeries delayed by power outages and supply shortages.

Around five million people living with chronic illnesses are also at risk of interruptions to life-sustaining treatments, including more than 16,000 people requiring radiation therapy and over 12,000 currently undergoing chemotherapy.

“Human cost is significant and continues to grow,” Mr. Musani said, as local clinics struggle with severe shortages of medical supplies and unstable electricity.

Pregnant women, children at risk

Maternal and neonatal care have also been heavily affected.

More than 32,000 pregnant women face increased risks due to limited access to diagnostics, transportation and stable electricity needed to power lifesaving equipment in neonatal units.

“Staff have to carry water up the stairs while women give birth since pumps don’t work,” said Ms. Wosornu.

She added that transportation disruptions are preventing deliveries of vegetables and meat, leaving many pregnant women without adequate nutrition.

Disease risks increase amid outages

Water, sanitation and refrigeration systems are also facing disruptions, raising the risk of vector-borne and water-borne diseases, such as dengue and chikungunya.

Routine immunization programmes remain operational but are under increasing strain due to cold chain disruptions, transport limitations, and supply shortages.

Ms. Wosornu described the situation as an increasingly complex crisis with growing humanitarian consequences beyond a traditional natural disaster response.

Calls for urgent support

Despite the worsening conditions, the OCHA and WHO officials praised the resilience of local healthcare workers and communities, noting that doctors and nurses continue caring for patients despite severe shortages and difficult working conditions.

“Life saving aid must reach people without delays. Acting fast and working together is the only way to stop the situation from getting worse. We cannot afford another humanitarian crisis,” Ms. Wosornu said.