As part of the Easter campaign for Cuba, we spoke with Aissa Naranjo, a doctor associated with Centro Felix Varela, our partner in Cuba. She speaks about the urgent medical needs of a country that itself exports medical aid.
What is the current situation in Cuba?
I am very happy to feel that so many people thousands of miles away are concerned about us. Cuba has a history of international solidarity. Cuba and its doctors have already done a great deal to help many countries medically. Countries with very few resources, but also more developed countries, such as Italy, Portugal, etc. Countries around the world have requested the assistance of Cuban international medical brigades.
But it is also true that we are working hard here to deal with the crisis. Our economy already had many weaknesses before the pandemic. We are an island under blockade, which has been trying to break through it for decades. Unfortunately, we lack the raw materials for the production of medical equipment. Because of the blockade, Cuba is forced to import them from far away: from India, from China. The pandemic has made these imports more difficult: airport traffic has come to a standstill and international trade is at a low ebb. As a result, we are suffering from a severe shortage of medical equipment, ranging from gloves to surgical masks.
It is important to note that when the pandemic broke out, there was not a single family that did not have face masks. Because we have been dealing with the pandemic for a year now, we have to be very rational with protective equipment. Currently, shortages and needs are greater than ever. It is a combination of suffocating blockades and the pandemic. Fortunately, other countries have come to our aid, but that is the reality today.
You are a family doctor at a polyclinic in Havana. Can you give us some specific examples of shortages at your workplace?
Thanks to the rational planning of the Ministry of Health and the incredible commitment of the medical staff, we can guarantee services such as properly equipped treatment and breathing rooms. The necessary medical equipment is being delivered to my polyclinic. But we have to be very careful and rational with everything we have. We cannot waste anything, because everything is necessary. Let me give you an example. Even before the pandemic, we were forced to switch to glass syringes. They must be constantly sterilised and require more time to be reused. So this is another way of working, much more complex than it already is.
With the vaccination campaign approaching, this challenge is even greater. We are short of everything. Gloves, but also gauze for cotton buds, we are short of hypochlorite and alcohol. So much basic equipment is needed to combat this health crisis, and the needs are enormous.
If people buy Easter eggs, how can they contribute in practical terms? How does this international solidarity help you?
Any help you can offer is welcome. We are very grateful for your donation campaign. Right now, we are busy preparing for the vaccination campaign. Among other things, we are currently setting up consultation areas. This is in order to prepare for the COVID vaccination campaign to contain the pandemic. We need more than 11 million vaccination syringes.
The vaccines are here, and our own production is also assured. Everyone is probably wondering how such a small island can produce its own vaccines and guarantee every inhabitant a dose. This is thanks to the enormous political will and commitment of our government. Here in Cuba, there are research institutes that have been preparing for this for a long time. Because Cuba knew that in this area, it could not rely on anyone else. The priority was therefore to invest in our well-trained and skilled personnel, our human capital, to develop our own technologies and pharmaceutical products.
To launch this vaccination campaign, we need the most basic supplies. We have everything planned for the initial phase. But to succeed in the longer term, I am convinced that we need more syringes and vaccination needles. And in addition to that, all the medical equipment I mentioned earlier. Anything you can do for us in solidarity with Cuba is welcome. Because the needs are many. And it will have a positive impact on our people. You can hardly imagine how much. And that is what is most precious. If, thanks to your help, we succeed, we will be very grateful.
