Cuba Denounces US Siege Impact on Health Sector Before BRICS
- Written by Redacción ¡ahora!
- Published in Cuba
- Hits: 55
Cuba today denounced before the BRICS nations the human cost of the impacts on the Caribbean nation's health sector caused by the economic, commercial, and financial embargo, as well as the energy blockade imposed by the United States.
In a video message for the meeting of BRICS Health Ministers held under India's presidency of the block, Cuban Minister José Ángel Portal expressed the Caribbean nation's readiness to expand cooperation with the intergovernmental group's members and share accumulated experience across multiple areas of the sector.
Portal explained that his absence at the aforementioned event was due to the complex situation facing Cuba, marked by the unprecedented intensification of the embargo, the energy blockade, and the constant threat of a possible aggression by Washington.
He noted that, regardless of the difficulties, Havana remains committed to continuing its work toward a future where science, innovation, solidarity, and sustainable development translate into better health for all our peoples.
He considered the meeting a valuable opportunity to reaffirm that, in the face of the multiple crises confronting humanity, it is essential to strengthen resilient health systems, promote innovation, and expand cooperation to ensure universal access to quality services.
The Cuban minister emphasized that only through joint effort, solidarity, and the comprehensive "One Health" approach—to which Cuba subscribes—can we respond effectively to challenges such as climate change, emerging diseases, and growing inequalities that put human survival at risk.
He added that in Cuba, health is a constitutional right guaranteed through a universal and free system sustained by highly qualified professionals and workers.
To this, he highlighted, is added the development of Cuban biopharmaceutical science and industry, areas that have made it possible to achieve notable health indicators.
Portal denounced that the US siege greatly restricts the functioning of his country's National Health System, with the consequent harm to the quality of life of its people.
"Behind these restrictions there are faces, patients, families who suffer," he remarked.
The Cuban minister elaborated that currently, more than 100,000 people are waiting for surgical intervention, including 12,000 children; infant mortality increased to 9.9 per thousand live births at the close of 2025; and the survival rate of minors with cancer decreased due to limitations in accessing first-line treatments.
"Despite these adversities, our health system continues to provide services, and Cuba maintains its commitment to international cooperation," he pointed out.
He added that more than 16,000 sector professionals are currently serving in 50 nations as an expression of South-South cooperation based on solidarity, intergovernmental agreements, and respect for sovereignty. (Source: Cubasi.cu )
