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Articles / US Blockade on Cuba / Blockade vs Cuba / Blockade Vs. Health: Cruel and Inhuman Policy
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Blockade Vs. Health: Cruel and Inhuman Policy
By Iris Armas Padrino/ACN
 While the international community is still echoing the victory of the UN General Assembly approval of the Cuban resolution entitled: “Necessary to end the economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”, the historic vote continues to make headlines in the national and international press.
But the US government continues to remain silent and is not concerned over the international community’s demand to end the criminal policy which is still in place for who knows how long inflicting sacrifices and restrictions on the Cuban people.
The blockade particularly affects the island’s health care system and the pain and anguish on patients and families will continue. Many times doctors or nurses do not have the necessary resources to save or prolong someone’s life.
In the health sector particularly, pain and anguish will continue on patients and families. Many times doctors and nurses need certain resources to save or prolong a patient’s life.
The recent report presented by Cuba to the UN General Assembly highlights that between May of 2010 and April 2011, the losses to the sector are calculated at 15 million dollars.
According to the document, the estimated amount is due to imports from other nations and the increase of prices of disposable materials and equipment, medication, reagents and spare parts.
Although Cuban exports of medication, accessories and medical devises are authorized by the Torricelli Act (1992) and Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act,, important restrictions remains.
Among many examples of the damage the blockade inflicts on the sector is the purchase of products for aorta coronary devises, valves among others from third nations.
The materials must be purchased in other markets at prices three or four times higher than if imported from US companies that have not suffered the impositions of the blockade.
Specialized hospitals have been affected in part by the refusal of US companies in purchasing components that is required for the maintenance of hyperbaric chambers, Gamma Radiation equipments and other types of spare parts.
Cuba has not been able to obtain apparatus, supplies, and materials destined to children affected
by malignant tumors because they are operated by US companies.
Cuba cannot obtain new US produced chemotherapy, certain anti biotic for children under one year of age and reagents affecting the National Transplant Program.
The world condemned the Barack Obama administration’s policy towards Cuba and some day justice will come to the Cuban people for the Washington’s crimes against humanity and for having promoted such a genocidal policy against the Caribbean nation.
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