Sanctions Block Pacemakers, Solidarity Saves Lives in Cuba

In Cuba, pacemakers mean life or death. 600 just arrived through donations. Each pacemaker means a surgery, a heartbeat, a future.

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These companies with patents in the U.S. can’t sell to Cuba. Cuba can’t obtain those pacemakers directly, explained Dr. Osmin Castañeda, Cardiologist, Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery.

The hardest part is having to explain this to the patients and families going through this situation, emphasized Dr. Lisbet Fernández, Cardiologist, Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery.

I’m here with my grandmother, who was admitted a week ago with a heart blockage. The doctors told me she needed a pacemaker and had to be hospitalized urgently, under 24-hour supervision, because her condition was very delicate, recounted Geysa Domínguez, Patient’s family.

My mom was fading away and then the doctor, when he checked her, confirmed the pacemaker’s wire was broken, remembered Grisel Oquendo, Patient’s family.

Seven years ago, I got my pacemaker, but it stopped working. I came here for a checkup and they decided to replace it, but there weren’t any available. I’ve had to wait, and have been feeling worse, recalled Clementina Aguiar, Patient.

I came to the clinic and they wouldn’t let me leave, because my condition was already really bad. They admitted me until pacemakers showed up, recounted Juan Abreu, Retired Engineer, Patient.

They don’t want to give us too much hope because it doesn’t depend on them. They told me pacemakers are arriving in two ways: either through donations, or by recovering devices that had been used by people who’ve passed away, explained Geysa Domínguez. 

The hardest part is having to explain this to the patients and families going through this situation who are waiting for a device that they know is scarce, and we can’t tell them when one might arrive. They end up hospitalized for long periods, or waiting at home, acknowledged Dr. Lisbet Fernández, Cardiologist, Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery.

These types of pacemakers serve a basic function that cannot be replaced. They keep the heart beating. Giving someone a pacemaker means removing the risk of dying, clarified Dr. Osmin Castañeda, Cardiologist, Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery.

Every day we get urgent cases here at the institute that need pacemakers. These patients have to stay hospitalized, and treatment is often complex because the other medical supplies we need are also in short supply, noted Dr. Lisbet Fernández, Cardiologist, Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery.

“Our country is under an economic embargo. The embargo affects Cuba’s health system. It affects children with degenerative diseases, with cancer, people on dialysis, people who need IV fluids and medicines,” underlined Grisel Oquendo, Journalist, Patient’s family.

“There are four major companies. All four have patents in the United States. These companies with patents in the U.S. can’t sell to Cuba. Cuba can’t obtain those pacemakers directly. Cuba can only get them through intermediaries and that makes them more expensive,” explained Dr. Osmin Castañeda, Cardiologist, Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery.

“The donation finally arrived. I had stepped out to buy some juice for my mom, and when I came back, I told her the pacemakers are here. And she said: ‘I won’t believe it until I see it.’ Yes, they’re here, I saw them,” recalled Grisel Oquendo, Journalist, Patient’s family.

“Today, she’s finally in the operating room to get her pacemaker and go home,” shared Geysa Domínguez, the Patient’s family.

“I’m so grateful to whoever donated it, and to all the staff here who, despite the shortages and all the problems, treat people with humanity,” expressed Juan Abreu, a Patient.

“I thank the doctors, and everyone who donated. I’m infinitely grateful, because at 97 years old, my life was fading more and more. I couldn’t even walk anymore,” said Clementina Aguiar, Patient.

“I’m happy, so happy. Very grateful because the Cuban health system doesn’t charge a single cent to put a pacemaker in my 97-year-old mother, and this is the second one she’s gotten, completely free of charge,” concluded Grisel Oquendo, the Patient’s family.