U.S. Sanctions Leave Cuba Short of Essential Medicines

The story of Cuba's energy crisis is often told through statistics about megawatts and barrels of oil. But for many Cubans, its effects are measured in missed treatments, empty pharmacy shelves and growing uncertainty about whether lifesaving medicines will be available when they are needed most.

Childhood cancer survival rates have fallen from 85% to 65%, nearly 3,000 dialysis patients have faced disruptions in treatment and 300 of the country's 395 essential medicines are now unavailable, according to a recent report in Cuban state media outlet Cubadebate. More than 100,000 children have also lost access to the daily milk ration previously provided by the state.

Meanwhile, restrictions on trade and financing are also affecting the import of raw materials needed to manufacture medicines domestically, further straining an already fragile healthcare system.