Cuba's world renowned health care system directly feels the negative effects of the U.S. blockade. Medicines or medical equipment produced in the U.S. or by U.S. subsidiaries in third countries or by companies that fear antagonizing Washington cannot be directly purchased by Cuba and obtaining such items involves buying them through other nations. This drives up the cost and delays treatment. Mortality rates from cancer, for example, could be drastically reduced if it were not for the blockade. teleSUR
