Cuba's healthcare system is under severe strain as tightening US sanctions and an ongoing oil blockade have led to critical shortages in fuel and medical supplies. In February 2026, Havana announced emergency energy-saving measures, including the suspension of all non-essential medical services across the island.
The Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) reported in July 2026 that survival rates for childhood cancer have dropped from 85 percent to 65 percent amid the blockade. Pediatric anaesthesiologist Fernandez noted that preventive healthcare, which typically helps detect fatal conditions like appendicitis early, has been compromised. He observed that patients are arriving at hospitals in worsened conditions, with “all the appendicitis cases we treat now present[ing] complications.”
Emergency surgeries in Cuba are defined as those requiring completion within 48 hours, but many necessary surgeries are now being delayed or suspended. Delgado highlighted the dire consequences, stating, “if you have a cancer patient and cannot operate due to a number of factors – such as a nationwide blackout forcing the suspension of surgeries – then, whether you intend to or not, you are directly condemning that patient to death.”
The healthcare crisis reflects the broader impact of US sanctions under the Trump administration, which have intensified since 2024, contributing to a rise in mortality rates and forcing the Cuban government to ration care amid energy shortages.
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