US Blockade: A Cruel and Inhuman Policy

Edited by Juan Leandro
2013-10-07 14:26:23

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Oct 7, -- The speeches and discussions of the leaders present at the highest level of 68th regular session of the UN General Assembly had a recurring theme, the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against the Cuban people.

Classified as an inhuman and genocidal act, more than 40 countries across 5 continents have raised their voice in New York to put an end to this measure, which hampers one of the most basic human rights: health care.

The Cuban government is making great efforts to ensure medicines and basic therapeutic modalities for the treatment of all patients, especially children, one of the most vulnerable sectors.

However, there are drugs that are more effective for certain ailments and Cuba does not have access to them because they are made in the United States. That is the case of sevoflurane, the best existing pediatric anesthetic in cardiovascular surgery that is only produced in the United States.

This situation also occurs with the nitric oxide, a gas used to treat pulmonary hypertension crises that occur after cardiothoracic pediatric surgery, a complication that can lead to death.

It is a fact that the blockade interferes with the entry of technologies to Cuba, state-of-the-art reagents and antivirals such as ganciclovir, as well as antimicrobial, cytostatic, instruments and disposables.

In the last year, the United States has increased the persecution of the companies that distribute medicines to Cuba, and also deny entry visas to Cuban doctors who are invited to scientific exchange protocols.

However, no patient lacks the necessary medicine, as Cuban authorities always seek alternatives, while its scientists have given a lesson in dedication and humanism to produce more vaccines and medications, such as the oral and recombinant monoclonals, which also highlights the Island's efforts to strengthen its free health care services.

The U.S. blockade has caused losses of millions of dollars to the Cuban health system. According to official estimates, for instance, just between May 2012 and April 2013, the damages to this sector are recorded at 39 million dollars, only as a result of the purchase of medicines, instruments and other supplies in distant markets, as well as the use of intermediaries.

Then, the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States, the longest in history, which has caused billions of dollars in total losses, was described during the general debate at the top levels of the United Nations as the highest expression of cruel and inhuman policy, devoid of legality and legitimacy and deliberately designed to cause hunger, disease and despair.



Commentaries

  • David Wade, Ph.D.'s gravatar
    David Wade, Ph.D.
    08/10/2013 02:08 am

    This is a very interesting article. The examples of how the blockade interferes with the delivery of medicines to patients is a very good illustration of how the US government's blockade punishes Cuban people. How much longer will this injustice continue?


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