This was stated by Dr. Olga Gramonte, president of the Cuban Society of Hematology, who explained in an exclusive interview with Prensa Latina that the inability to access essential diagnostic tools and treatments is taking a toll on patients and their families.

“During the years in which the blockade has intensified, survival rates, quality of life, cure rates, and the number of transplants have all declined significantly—solely and exclusively because of this policy of strangulation,” she asserted.

The specialist warned that patients with hematological conditions—especially malignant ones—face serious risks when they cannot receive a timely diagnosis or the appropriate treatment at the critical moment.

This situation, she noted, stems from the fact that the country is unable to purchase necessary medical supplies; bank accounts are blocked, and financial institutions that might otherwise ease such transactions are either acquired by other entities or subjected to sanctions.

She remarked that, despite the efforts of the healthcare system, keeping the survival rates achieved in previous decades has become increasingly difficult.

She further warned that even the treatment of benign hematological conditions associated with pregnancy has been affected. It is becoming harder to ensure positive outcomes for these patients, which in turn reduces the chances of a successful delivery.

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