“I'm a doctor, and my family is struggling to afford food”: A Cuban physician shares his experience

 The testimony of Dr. Yasmany Figueroa, a physician from Villa Clara, Cuba, has become a stark illustration of the profound economic crisis affecting Cuban families— including those in the country’s healthcare system. Despite holding three university degrees, Figueroa reports that he has been unable to work in his medical specialty for the past two years, leaving him without a stable income and forcing his family into severe financial hardship.

Dr Yasmany Figueroa 

According to Figueroa, the prolonged economic deterioration has deeply affected his household’s daily life. Limited access to food, rising prices, and chronic shortages have resulted in dramatic weight loss; he states he lost 45 pounds (about 20 kilograms) in less than a month due to insufficient nutrition. His account reflects not only personal suffering but also the broader reality faced by many Cuban families who struggle to secure basic necessities.

The situation he describes is part of a larger national crisis marked by inflation, scarcity of essential goods, low wages, and deteriorating living conditions. Even highly trained professionals—physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers—report that their salaries do not cover basic needs, forcing many to seek alternative employment or rely on external support.

While Figueroa’s story is deeply personal, it has resonated widely because it highlights the human impact of economic collapse. It raises urgent questions about the sustainability of Cuba’s healthcare workforce and the ability of medical professionals to care for their patients while facing extreme hardship at home.

His testimony adds to a growing chorus of voices calling attention to the need for structural change, transparency, and support for those who sustain the nation’s healthcare system. Behind every statistic is a family like Figueroa’s—struggling, adapting, and hoping for a future where their work and sacrifice are met with dignity and stability.

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