AGP Executive Report

Medical Education & Health Diplomacy: Dr. Rachel Andrew publicly endorsed Cuba’s international scholarship program for medicine and health sciences, saying it has changed lives worldwide. Healthcare Access & Infrastructure: A Cuban pro-government journalist described the island’s water crisis as a “sovereign disorder,” saying power outages are being overtaken by lack of water and coordination failures between water and electricity services. Public Health & Safety: Cuba’s severe virus surge is being linked to infrastructure, water, and power shortages, raising concern for outbreaks. International Health Cooperation: Italy’s Nexus NGO says it will keep supporting Cuba, including training tied to its “Energy for Life” campaign that has installed photovoltaic systems benefiting healthcare institutions. Water, Power, and Community Resilience: In Las Tunas, a neighborhood initiative is equipping homes with solar power to support energy needs and daily life amid limited electricity service. Health-Related Human Rights: Canadian diplomats say their children still suffer symptoms linked to Havana Syndrome and are suing Canada over access to care. Cuba in the News: Russia resuming direct flights to Cuba is on the agenda, amid ongoing fuel and travel constraints.

Cuba Health & Food Security: Cuba’s ambassador to India Juan Carlos Marsán Aguilera says the island is facing a severe food security crisis and proposes joint food production—India firms would grow rice, beans and sugarcane on Cuban land for export—citing worsening shortages and rising infant mortality amid the U.S. blockade. Water & Power Strain: A report highlights Havana’s ongoing health risks as blackouts and failing water systems leave neighborhoods dealing with sewage and limited access to care, including around major clinics. Elderly Care Under Pressure: A Justice in Aging roundup says new U.S. Medicaid rules taking effect Oct. 1 will restrict coverage for many low-income immigrant older adults, including refugees and asylees, with Cuban entrants listed as an exception category. Local Health Needs in Matanzas: The wife of Olympic boxer Andrés Aldama says her family in Matanzas is struggling with housing damage, food shortages, lack of medication, and difficulty obtaining olanzapine for a son with a psychiatric illness. Public Health & Safety Abroad (Mosquitoes): Florida’s Hillsborough County ramps up mosquito control amid a dengue outbreak, including daytime aerial and ground spraying in targeted areas.

Community Energy & Food Security: In Las Tunas, the “My Neighborhood for the Homeland” initiative is helping a 1,279-person community stretch limited electricity by installing solar systems in 20 homes that also serve as neighbor support hubs for charging phones and lights. Health Access Under Strain: Havana’s 19 de Abril Polyclinic area is surrounded by sewage and worsening conditions as blackouts and fuel shortages keep disrupting daily life and movement. Road Safety & Injuries: Two teenagers were hurt in Guantánamo after an alleged illegal motorcycle race, with both sent from a local polyclinic to the pediatric hospital. Public Health & Transport Risks: In Sancti Spíritus, an ecomóvil and tricycle collision highlights how new transport options are spreading even as service remains irregular and waits can reach hours. Food Support for Vulnerable People: Isla de la Juventud is expanding “Community Food Homes” in rural settlements to feed elderly people without family support, people with disabilities, vulnerable families, and pregnant women. Solidarity for Health & Education: A Dutch foundation delivered 11 containers of school supplies and medical equipment to Holguín, Banes, and Moa, boosting local health and education services. Nutrition Costs: A Havana post put the price of onions at 610 CUP for a small unit, underscoring how rising food costs are squeezing household budgets.

Water & Power Crisis: Cuba’s authorities say 2.7 million people have total or partial drinking-water access problems, with Havana and other provinces hit hardest—an issue tied to electrical instability and pumping failures. Fuel Shortage Reality Check: Reports and vessel tracking challenge official claims that no fuel is arriving, while Cuba’s fuel crisis continues to disrupt daily life and services. Health System Strain on the Ground: In Havana, long blackouts and sewage-filled streets are shaping movement and public health risk, while transport changes (like electric tricycles and ecomóviles) bring new safety concerns. Solidarity for Care & Education: A Dutch foundation delivered 11 containers of school supplies and medical equipment to Holguín, Banes, and Moa, supporting students and healthcare workers. Nutrition Pressure: Onion prices in Havana are climbing sharply, underscoring how food costs are squeezing household budgets. Public Health Loss: Cuba’s IPK mourns microbiologist Julián Pérez Amarillo, a key figure in pediatric infectious disease research and care. Community Food Support: Isla de la Juventud is using “Community Food Homes” in private residences to reach elderly, disabled people, vulnerable families, and pregnant women.

Water & power crisis: Cuba’s health system is bracing as authorities admit 2.7 million people—nearly 35%—have total or intermittent access to drinking water, with shortages tied to electrical instability and equipment failures, especially in Havana and nearby provinces. Virus surge: Health officials warn of a severe seasonal rise in mosquito-borne illness, including dengue and Chikungunya, as infrastructure, water, and power problems leave communities more exposed. Fuel squeeze hits daily health: A new report highlights how Cuba’s fuel narrative is hard to square with recent events, including a vessel allegedly unloading in Mariel—fuel shortages are already disrupting irrigation and food supply, worsening health risks. Humanitarian aid: The UN released $160M from its emergency fund, including about $4M for Cuba, while stressing access barriers and the need for political will. Public health leadership loss: Cuba’s Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute mourns the death of microbiologist Julián Pérez Amarillo, a major figure in pediatric infectious disease and clinical bacteriology. Detention & rights: Havana transferred detained anti-regime influencer Anna Bensi’s supporter Ariel Limias Leyva to Villa Marista; his wife says he has heart treatment needs.

Emergency Care Strain in Cuba: An elderly man in Nueva Gerona (Isla de la Juventud) died after about eight hours waiting for an ambulance from SIUM, following a night blackout and poor access to emergency transport. Hospital Food Under Fuel Shortages: Santiago de Cuba’s Saturnino Lora Torres teaching hospital says cooks are preparing patient meals with firewood amid the energy crisis. Water Crisis in Holguín: Authorities in Holguín report uneven supply with shortages lasting 70–90 days in parts of the northern system, citing equipment failures, electrical interruptions, and infrastructure limits. Aging and Care Support: Camagüey launched a University Chair for Senior Citizens program with ProSalud, focusing on care, companionship, and support for older adults. UN Humanitarian Funding: The UN released $160M from its emergency fund, including about $4M for Cuba, warning that access barriers still block aid. Health System Context: Cuba’s aging challenge is highlighted alongside medicine shortages and worsening living conditions, stressing the need for stronger public policy and care networks.

Elder Care & Community Health: Camagüey launched its University Chair for Senior Citizens (CUAM) course with ProSalud, aiming to boost care, companionship, and support for older adults through training and activities running to Oct. 29. Public Health & Safety: Holguín reported two deaths and one critical case after people ingested “nitro salt,” highlighting ongoing risks tied to toxic substances. Healthcare Under Strain: Cuba’s aging crisis is deepening—26.7% of Cubans are over 60—while power cuts, shortages, and the blockade worsen daily health and nutrition challenges for seniors. Energy & Health System Pressure: A September blackout lasting about 32 hours and wider service breakdowns were linked to a broader crisis affecting electricity, water, health, and food, alongside rising repression. Health Diplomacy & Cooperation: Timor-Leste and Cuba extended a health-sector cooperation agreement, while Cuba’s foreign partners continue discussing medical collaboration. Health Policy Shock Abroad (for context): In the U.S., federal Medicaid cuts are leaving thousands of lawfully present immigrants without coverage, raising fears of delayed care and hospital overload.

Public Health & Safety in Cuba: Holguín health authorities report two deaths and one critical case after three people ingested “nitro salt,” with investigators tracing how the product was obtained and used. Youth Health in Cuba: Holguín’s health sector is stepping up school and community programs for adolescents and young people, focusing on prevention of STIs, obesity, and other child-health priorities amid shortages. Cuban Healthcare Diplomacy: Cuba and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reaffirmed cooperation in health and medical training, with Cuba briefing the island on the worsening energy situation tied to the U.S. blockade. Cuba–Belize Medical Brigade Talks: Belize says negotiations with the U.S. over the future of the Cuban medical brigade are nearing resolution, aiming to protect Belize’s healthcare stability. Cuba–Energy Strain: Reports describe frequent grid collapses linked to fuel restrictions, while Cuba expands solar capacity to reduce blackout frequency and protect essential services. Regional Health Risk: UNICEF warns El Niño could raise drought and flooding risks for 25.8 million children across Latin America, threatening food and safe water access.

Adolescent Health in Holguín: Cuba’s health sector is stepping up school and community programs for teens and youth, focusing on preventing sexually transmitted infections and obesity, while working through networks like Prosalud and Jóvenes por la vida despite shortages of contraceptive methods and materials. Older Adults Priority: Cuba is marking International Day of Older Persons (Oct. 1) with national events under Decree 139, aiming to promote active, healthy aging and recognize older adults’ role in society. Cuba–US Pressure on Health: A new report highlights how the U.S. blockade and energy sanctions are worsening Cuba’s grid instability and food production, with blackouts disrupting irrigation and supply chains. Dengue Watch: Cuba’s dengue rate is reported at 16.03 cases per 100,000, with health authorities urging community action to remove standing water. Care Access Under Sanctions: A solidarity donation drive delivered critical supplies to Havana’s Calixto García hospital, including catheters, oxygen masks, syringes, and medicines. Cuba in the Spotlight: Actor Luis Silva condemned the sentencing of content creator Anna Bensi, calling it censorship amid worsening everyday shortages.

Cuba Health & Care Under Strain: Cuba’s Ministry of Health acknowledges worsening contagious diseases tied to the water and sanitation crisis, while Holguín reports a deadly nitrite salt poisoning incident that left two dead and one critically ill. Food & Climate Resilience: Holguín also rolled out NutriVida training with UNICEF and WFP support to strengthen local food sovereignty through early-warning tools for droughts, floods, and pests. Medical Education & Living Conditions: A report on South Africa’s Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro medical program describes students in Havana facing cramped housing, intermittent water, and poor sanitation and food quality—raising serious health and welfare concerns. U.S. Policy Pressure on Health Access: Multiple U.S. states are preparing Medicaid cutoffs tied to new federal immigration rules starting Oct. 1, with advocates warning chronic disease care could be disrupted for thousands, including people from Cuba and other affected groups. Healthcare Transparency Push: Mark Cuban renewed calls for drug pricing transparency at Georgetown, arguing opaque pricing drives high costs and harms patients.

Food & Climate Resilience: Holguín rolled out training for the UN-backed NutriVida project, linking Health, Education, and local producers to strengthen food sovereignty using vulnerability tools for droughts, floods, and pest risks. Waterborne Disease Alert: Reuters reports viruses spreading in Havana as blackouts and water failures cripple hygiene, with residents describing diarrhea and fever amid a worsening infrastructure crisis. Health System Strain Under Sanctions: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Cuba faces “consequences” unless it changes course, pointing to fuel shortages, blackouts, and a failing economy tied to the oil blockade. Regional Health Cooperation: Timor-Leste and Cuba extended a health-sector cooperation agreement, while Namibia reaffirmed solidarity with Cuba in parliament. Medical Education & Care Capacity: Cuba’s Guantánamo University welcomed 1,000+ first-year students, and Holguín also received PAHO/WHO fumigation equipment. Health Access Abroad (Policy Watch): New U.S. Medi-Cal rules could tighten coverage for some noncitizens in Los Angeles, with Cubans and Haitians noted among key exceptions. Local Health Infrastructure: Jones Memorial Hospital discussed plans for a new medical office in Cuba, with construction starting in October.

Cuba Healthcare Crisis: A Santiago de Cuba family says a 26-year-old mother, Aniari Barrientos Vázquez, died after unclear care and contradictory information at the Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso hospital—raising alarms about treatment, communication, and possible sanitation failures. Public Health & Care Access: Cuba’s Ministry of Health acknowledges worsening contagious disease conditions tied to the water and sanitation crisis, while other reports flag rising dengue and respiratory illness in parts of the island. Energy Strain on Health: Blackouts and water shortages continue to disrupt daily life, including training at Havana’s National Ballet School—an indirect reminder of how chronic infrastructure stress affects education and health routines. Research & Rare Disease Focus: Holguín hosted a neuroscience conference and workshop on spinocerebellar ataxias, highlighting long-term genetic research and care collaboration. Policy Pressure: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez again blamed U.S. pressure for worsening conditions, while U.S. officials described Cuba as a “failed state,” fueling renewed debate over sanctions and humanitarian access. Health System Critique: A Cuban psychologist argues the system—not children—creates financial dependency on aging parents, sparking a wider conversation about structural causes of family hardship.

Havana Syndrome Update: Canada’s foreign minister says the unexplained ailments affecting diplomats in Cuba are a staffing concern, with follow-up ordered but no reopening of a prior report—while the Pentagon has renamed its Havana Syndrome task force and launched compensation, and a Walter Reed study reports cognitive gains from brain exercises. Cuba Health System Under Strain: Cuba’s health ministry acknowledges worsening communicable disease trends tied to water and sanitation problems, with dengue and chikungunya rising alongside diarrheal, hepatitis, and respiratory illnesses. Hospital Safety: Firefighters contained overheating at Havana’s América Arias Maternal Hospital, preventing a sterilization unit fire from spreading. Arbovirus & Hygiene Pressure: Dengue is reported in multiple Santiago de Cuba municipalities as cases of fever rise, underscoring sanitation and mosquito-control challenges. Care Access Barriers: A Holguín doctor says he was pushed out of healthcare work and now struggles with travel costs to return—“I have to eat.” Maternal & Community Health Workforce: Guantánamo University of Medical Sciences inducts new FEU members, highlighting student brigades focused on elderly care, disease prevention, and health promotion. Public Health Risks From Waste: Residents in Baracoa report a growing garbage dump near homes and the seawall, citing foul odors, pests, and disease concerns. Regional Health Training: A Nevis physician begins anesthesiology specialist training in Santiago de Cuba, building ties between Caribbean health systems.

Public Health & Sanitation: Residents in Baracoa report a massive garbage dump growing near the seawall, with foul odors and pests amid the municipality’s epidemiological situation, urging the Comunales company to step up weekly collection. Agriculture & Health: Cuba’s Council of Ministers issued updated rules for producing and using biofertilizers, biostimulants, and biopesticides, clarifying oversight roles for the Ministry of Agriculture and requiring Public Health input for biopesticide use. Healthcare Workforce & Youth: Guantánamo University of Medical Sciences inducted first-year students into the FEU, with new members’ community work focused on elderly care, disease prevention, and health promotion alongside local hospitals and primary care centers. Medical Solidarity: Leopoldo Rey Sampayo Pediatric Hospital in Florida saw 43 blood donations through a staff-led drive, highlighting Cuba’s public health solidarity ethos. Community Health Access (Diaspora): A Cuban woman abroad sparked debate after sending basic medicines to her son in Cuba—only for relatives to reject the shipment—fueling discussion about expectations and support within families. Violence & Safety: A Cuban shipyard worker in Guyana was fatally stabbed during a fight; police say the suspect was arrested and remains in custody. International Health Cooperation: Ghana renewed solidarity with Cuba and reviewed longstanding health cooperation, including Cuban medical volunteers and training for Ghanaian doctors.

Public Health Update: Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health says the epidemiological situation is worsening, citing rising acute respiratory infections, diarrheal illness, hepatitis, and arboviruses like dengue and chikungunya—linked to sanitation, water treatment, and waste collection problems. Dengue Watch: Santiago de Cuba reports active dengue transmission in Palma Soriano, Contramaestre, and the city, urging people with fever to seek care and watch for warning signs. Care Access Under Strain: In Mayabeque’s Melena del Sur, residents questioned an ambulance “availability” post, saying fuel shortages and road access can block real service. Pediatric Breakthrough: Pinar del Río’s Pepe Portilla pediatric hospital performed its first percutaneous nephrolithotomy, a minimally invasive kidney-stone procedure, aiming to better preserve renal function. Health Crisis Stories: A woman in Isla de la Juventud says she’s being asked to supply surgical materials herself; and a family in Ciego de Ávila is fundraising for a 5-year-old with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and severe malnutrition. International Health Cooperation: Ghana and Cuba reviewed and renewed health cooperation, including Cuban medical volunteers and training for Ghanaian doctors. Safety & Violence: A Cuban shipyard worker in Guyana was stabbed and died; police say the suspect is in custody.

Dengue Alert in Santiago de Cuba: Health officials report active dengue transmission in Palma Soriano, Contramaestre and the capital after a rise in febrile syndromes, urging people with fever to seek care and watch for warning signs. Malnutrition & Cerebral Palsy Case: A fundraiser is seeking help for a 5-year-old boy in Ciego de Ávila with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and severe protein-energy malnutrition, fed via gastric tube and facing worsening deterioration. Blood Needed for Liver Transplant Rejection: A family in Mayabeque is urgently requesting O+ donors for a 24-year-old in critical condition at Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital after liver transplant rejection. Community Support in Holguín: Neighbors and activists have started building a small room for a blind elderly man left in extreme hardship, criticizing slow official response. Food Strain, Local Solidarity: In Matanzas, one family opens its home each December to share meals with vulnerable neighbors, using backyard growing to stretch supplies. US Pressure & Health System Strain: Cuba’s foreign ministers again denounce sanctions and an “energy blockade,” while reports say the US is assessing readiness of medical and logistics units for possible action—raising fears for healthcare access.