Cuba keeps medical buses running despite rolling power outages

Cuba continues to operate dedicated medical transport buses, known locally as "Medibús," to move patients from provincial areas to specialized hospitals in Havana and other cities. The Yutong‑type buses carry around twenty patients and a family companion per trip, providing free or low‑cost travel for treatments such as tomography, MRI, radiotherapy and genetic programs. Coordinadora provincial Yuleisys Pérez Reyes said the service remains a priority despite severe fuel shortages caused by the U.S. embargo and the island’s energy crisis.

At the same time, the country is experiencing repeated nationwide blackouts, with almost 10 million Cubans left without electricity for extended periods. Residents report outages lasting 30 hours or more, forcing them to ration water, fuel and food while coping with extreme heat. The government communicates outage durations via a WhatsApp channel, and citizens express frustration with emojis and U.S. flags. Energy expert Jorge Piñón warned that solutions to Cuba’s power deficit must come from outside the island. The combined strain on health services and daily life underscores the deepening humanitarian impact of the energy crisis.