A Cuban expressed his outrage on social media over the scarcity of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs in the pharmacies of Matanzas, questioning the quality of healthcare in Cuba. Carlos Martell Díaz, 60, reported on Facebook that pharmacies lack these medications, preventing him from obtaining the necessary drugs to heal a wound on his leg since last Sunday.
"There's nothing at this clinic or in the hospitals, and yet we are supposed to be a medical powerhouse. How long will they keep saying that?" he questioned, criticizing the Cuban public health system. At the healthcare center where he receives treatment, his wound is simply dressed because the pharmacies are out of stock.
"No antibiotics have arrived this week," Martell warned, explaining that he now has to buy the medicine he needs on the black market, where it can cost up to 1,000 pesos.
In his complaint, he also highlighted the deficiencies of the public health system by mentioning the lack of reagents available at the clinic to conduct diabetes tests, preventing him from determining whether or not he has the disease.
Additionally, Martell denounced the lack of freedom of expression in Cuba, stating, "If you say something, they want to imprison you." He noted that doing so risks being labeled as "troublesome" and a "terrorist."
He emphasized that he is not a terrorist; he is simply a Cuban citizen fighting to save his leg amidst the deep economic crisis affecting the country.
"If they cut off my leg, I will be a cripple in this country," Martell pointed out, adding that, like other retirees, he would only receive a pension of 1,500 pesos, an amount insufficient to cover basic needs in Cuba.
"And you become like a dog thrown in a sack," he said, making a bleak comparison of what would happen if his worst fears came true.
Finally, he stressed that he owes nothing to his country or its government, as he is still working at the age of 60.
The shortage of pharmaceuticals adds to the long list of problems affecting Cubans, causing frustration and discontent among the population.
An elderly Cuban woman complained last May about having to spend the night outside pharmacies, hoping to get the medicines needed the next day. Carmen Pérez Martín shared a photo on her Facebook profile showing her seated on a small bench in a doorway, waiting for her turn. Nearby, another elderly man waits with his head down.
"Many slept outside the pharmacy, hoping to get the medication we need. Life is too short, and we're always in line. And we keep enduring," she lamented.
In the province of Santiago de Cuba, the regime aims to address the medication shortage by prioritizing the production of natural remedies, according to official sources. A report aired by the channel Tele Turquino advocated for the production of natural-origin medications as a "less invasive way to treat ailments," without mentioning the reasons for the drug shortages that force affected individuals to increasingly resort to these remedies.
FAQs on Medicine Shortage in Cuba
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the critical shortage of medicines in Cuba, particularly in Matanzas, and its impact on the population.
What medications are currently scarce in Matanzas?
Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are notably scarce in Matanzas, according to recent reports from residents.
How is the Cuban government addressing the medication shortage?
In Santiago de Cuba, the government is prioritizing the production of natural remedies as a solution to the medication shortage.
What alternatives do Cubans have for obtaining necessary medicines?
Many Cubans resort to the black market to obtain the medicines they need, often at exorbitant prices.
What are the risks of speaking out about these issues in Cuba?
Citizens who speak out against the government risk imprisonment and being labeled as troublesome or even terrorists.