Blockade limits care for high-risk pregnant women in Holguín
- Written by Redacción ¡ahora!
- Published in Health
- Hits: 42
The economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba has severely limited medical care for high-risk pregnant women at the Vladimir Ilich Lenin University Hospital in Holguín.
The impact is evident in the shortage of essential medicines and medical supplies, making it difficult to provide comprehensive and safe care to patients, said Rubén Reynaldo Rojas, deputy director of the maternal and child health area at that health institution.
The restrictive policy prevents the acquisition of spare parts and equipment necessary for managing obstetric complications. Antibiotics, steroids, and surgical materials such as sutures are in short supply, directly affecting treatments and obstetric procedures.
The hospital also faces structural and technological problems, as much of its equipment dates back to its founding six decades ago with Soviet technology. Modern equipment, mostly of U.S. origin, cannot be imported, worsening the operational difficulties in surgical rooms and related services.
Also, the delays in the arrival of supplies such as medical oxygen and the harassment of people interested in contributing from abroad to the construction of a maternity ward in a designated area of the institution.
Despite these limitations, the medical, nursing, and technical staff maintain a high level of commitment and professionalism, the doctor commented.
The hospital, considered the largest maternity facility in the country, has over 200 beds, more than 5,000 babies delivered by the end of 2025, and an assisted reproduction unit with remarkable results. It continues to be a priority for the Ministry of Public Health, which seeks to ensure basic resources and protect the well-being of pregnant women amid adverse circumstances. (Source: ACN)
