The United States government, through its genocidal blockade policy, prevents more than 100,000 Cubans in need of improved health from accessing surgical intervention today.

This was reported by the Deputy Minister of Public Health of Cuba, Carilda Peña, who explained that by the close of last week, 95,555 patients remained awaiting general surgery, while another 5,152 people were waiting for oncology interventions.

«We truly cannot say we are at zero because immense efforts are being made, but all these patients are waiting for surgery,» the deputy minister stated when appearing on Cuban Television.

«It is truly desperate that a person knows they need to access a treatment and cannot, and this is a reality that affects their quality of life.»

Currently, guaranteeing haemodialysis is a challenge, hence the need to hospitalise patients who live far from healthcare centres due to lack of transport to travel.

At present, 2,888 Cubans are receiving haemodialysis treatment, a therapy highly dependent on supplies, water and specialised equipment.

Among the measures adopted to guarantee treatment is increasing the reuse of dialysers, but this is a complex procedure that requires additional resources and a high level of technical preparation, the deputy minister clarified on the radio and television programme Mesa Redonda.

«Added to the supply limitations are the effects caused by power cuts and difficulties with water supply, and other essential elements to guarantee the functioning of haemodialysis units,» argued Peña.