As hospitals in Cuba struggle and medications become scarce, relatives living abroad are sending money via Zelle to a so-called healer in Artemisa who claims he can tackle severe illnesses, including cancer, with blessings and homemade vitamin concoctions.
A report from Havana Times sheds light on how the crumbling Cuban healthcare system has driven patients and their families to seek alternatives beyond conventional medicine.
The figure at the center of this phenomenon is Y. F., a self-proclaimed healer residing in San Cristóbal, Artemisa.
Since late September, Cubans outside the island have been contacting him through WhatsApp, transferring funds via Zelle for him to attend to their ailing relatives remaining in Cuba. The procedure reportedly starts with a video call where the healer talks with the patient and offers his blessings.
Following the initial contact, individuals receive vitamin mixtures prepared by the healer himself, which he claims possess the ability to combat life-threatening diseases.
The Role of Social Media in Spreading Testimonials
Y. F. uses Facebook to share testimonials from those who credit their recovery to his treatments. In some posts, people claim to have overcome serious illnesses after receiving dire forecasts from Cuban hospitals.
One highlighted case involves a young woman appearing alongside the healer in a video. During their conversation, he insists that doctors at the Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras couldn't find a solution for her condition, attributing her improvement to his consultation.
Another video features a woman who claims to have recovered from breast cancer that had spread to her brain and other areas. She attributes her supposed recovery to the healer's blessings and vitamins.
However, none of these accounts provide independent medical confirmation of the diagnoses, remissions mentioned, or a causal link between the preparations and the patients' outcomes.
Financial Transactions and Accountability
Reports indicate that the healer's Facebook posts generate thousands of reactions, and on days when he sees patients, numerous individuals gather at his home. Those attending in person must bring containers for the vitamin mixtures and are asked to contribute 100 Cuban pesos per consultation, alongside other voluntary donations. The healer claims these contributions support his activities and help those in need.
Nevertheless, Havana Times points out the lack of transparency regarding the funds collected and no systematic verification of the effectiveness of his procedures. No details are provided about how much money is received through Zelle, how many overseas relatives have made payments, or the amounts transferred.
Historical Context of Healers in Cuba
The report also references another healer, Jorge Goliat, who gained notoriety in Havana for purportedly using a machete and medicinal plants in his practices. In April 2021, Reuters documented over a hundred people waiting for his services, which included diagnoses made by examining smoke marks on paper. Despite his claims of treating tumors and other conditions, these abilities were not backed by medical evidence.
Interest in such practices has drawn attention from law enforcement and health officials, according to the report.
The Need for Medical Validation
The absence of medical verification of these alleged cures is particularly significant for cancer patients, whose treatments necessitate specialized diagnostics and clinical decisions based on scientific evidence. The United States' National Cancer Institute firmly states that there is no evidence that vitamins, herbal remedies, dietary supplements, or their combinations can cure cancer, stop its growth, or prevent its recurrence.
The institute also warns that some natural products may interfere with cancer treatments and advises consulting healthcare professionals before using them.
However, the dire state of cancer care in Cuba, characterized by drug shortages, failing hospital equipment, and limited access to specialized treatments, fosters the emergence of such unverified practices.
In October, official statistics acknowledged that over 70 people die from cancer daily in Cuba, with around 300 of the 395 medications produced by the national pharmaceutical industry missing from the essential health list.
These figures also highlight a decline in cancer survival rates among children and young adults, dropping from 85% to 65%, as reported by Cuban authorities.
The lack of medications has forced many families to rely on solidarity networks, donations, and purchases from abroad to continue prescribed treatments. For instance, in August, relatives of a young Cuban cancer patient publicly sought help to obtain chemotherapy drugs unavailable in the hospital system.
This scenario sheds light on why some patients and their families turn to additional solutions, even though desperation over a lack of care does not make scientifically unsupported treatments effective.
Understanding Healers and Healthcare in Cuba
Why are Cubans turning to healers instead of conventional medicine?
The collapse of the Cuban healthcare system, with its shortages of medications and deteriorating hospital services, is driving patients and their families to seek alternatives like healers.
What methods do these healers use to treat their patients?
Healers like Y. F. claim to use blessings and vitamin concoctions they prepare themselves to treat serious illnesses, including cancer, though these methods lack scientific backing.
Are there risks associated with using alternative treatments like those offered by healers?
Yes, alternative treatments without scientific evidence can interfere with conventional treatments and delay proper medical care, posing risks to patients.