Cuba: A Paradigm in Health, Despite the Blockade

ByMartí Batres

This column by Martí Batres originally appeared in the March 16, 2026 edition of El Heraldo de México. The views expressed in this article are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect those of Mexico Solidarity Media or the Mexico Solidarity Project.

There is no legal, political, or historical reason that justifies the siege the Cuban people are suffering. On the contrary, the Caribbean nation has been characterized by its spirit of solidarity, particularly on a matter very sensitive to human dignity: health.

It is remarkable that despite an economic blockade lasting over 65 years, the fall of its ally the Soviet Union more than 30 years ago, and the intensification of measures against it in recent times, Cuba has been able to promote a remarkable level of healthcare for its citizens, as well as consistent solidarity in this area with many nations around the world. At the same time, it has developed advanced biomedical research in many fields, such as monoclonal antibodies against autoimmune diseases, arthritis, vitiligo, cancer, and others, and has achieved an unprecedented rate of medical training per capita.

Among its many comparative achievements, we can note the following: Regarding the number of doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, Cuba has 9.5; Costa Rica 2.9; the United States 2.6; Mexico 2.5; and Latin America 2.7 on average; and in the world 1.8.

In terms of the number of nurses per 1,000 inhabitants, Cuba has 7.1; the US 12.3; Mexico 3.4; Chile 4.7; Latin America 7.1 and the world 4.

In relation to the number of hospital beds per 1,000 inhabitants, Cuba has 4.3; the United States 2.8; Mexico 1 and Latin America 2.

Regarding life expectancy at birth, Cuba has 78.3 years; the US 77.5; Mexico 75.5 and Latin America 74.8.

Regarding child malnutrition, Cuba has a prevalence of 4.1%; the United States 0.5%; Mexico 12.6% and Latin America 11.5 percent.

In infant mortality, Cuba has 5.8 cases per 1,000 inhabitants; the US 5.4; Mexico 11.5 and Latin America 13.2.

In terms of low birth weight, Cuba has 7%; the United States 8%; Mexico 10%; Latin America 10% and the world average 15 percent.

In exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, Cuba has 40.6%; the US 25.8%; Mexico 21.1%; Canada 26.2%; Latin America 43% and the world average 47 percent.

In terms of diabetes prevalence, Cuba has 9.4%; the United States 13.7%; Mexico 16.4%; Latin America 10.1% and the world average is 11.1 percent.

In adult obesity, Cuba has 24%; the United States 40%; and Mexico 38%.

In new cases of Tuberculosis per 100,000 inhabitants, Cuba has 6%; Mexico 29%; Chile 14%; and the world average is 13.9 percent.

Before seeking to annihilate a small country of 10 million inhabitants, bellicose powers should learn a great deal from all that Cuba has managed to do in public health with very scarce resources and in spite of excessive obstacles.

Martí Batres is General Director of Mexico’s Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) and the former interim head of government of Mexico City.