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Adverse Health Effects Result from US Sanctions, Claims Report!

Health columnist Jessica Dos Santos discusses challenges and triumphs in the medical field under the harsh impact of American economic restrictions.

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6 min read

Adverse Health Effects Result from US Sanctions, Claims Report!

Let's Talk About the Hellhole That's Venezuela's Healthcare System, Thanks to US Sanctions

Am I ranting about politics again? You bet your sweet bippy I am! But, hey, when you've got an elephant in the room, don't you think it's time to talk about it? Let's dive headfirst into the brutal impact of US sanctions on Venezuela's ill-fated healthcare system.

In 2019, the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) dropped a bombshell report, estimating that over 300,000 chronic patients were at the mercy of the winds of fate due to Venezuela's stirring struggles to secure HIV, hypertension, and diabetes medicines. The worst was yet to come in 2019, with the harshest sanctions still brewing in the cauldron of darkness.

Imagine that – and if that ain't enough to break your heart, think about the poor souls suffering from rare diseases that require the most delicate, specialized treatments.

Take, for instance, the closure of the CITGO program, a lifeline for Venezuelan children battling leukemia and other heavyweight illnesses. This vital support system evaporated into thin air the moment the oil subsidiary changed hands to the opposition. What a cold, hard, bitter blow for families struggling to preserve their little ones’ lives!

Sanctions, eh? Sounds all abstract and distant, doesn't it? Pulitzer-winning novelist John Steinbeck once said, "A canal is a ditch. An ocean is vast." Well, guess what? That document published by the Treasury Department in Washington sure as hell has the power to deprive a humble grandma or grandpa in a Venezuelan barrio of a proper medical care, making them suffer in the dirt under the unforgiving Caribbean sun.

Politicians and media pundits love to couch sanctions in lofty ideals and statements, insisting that they only affect the "elite" or "corrupt politicians." What a crock of horse manure, if I may state it bluntly! In my conversations with healthcare officials, I've unearthed some heart-wrenching, flesh-and-blood examples of the cruel, vine-like tendrils of sanctions that cling to the lives of the most vulnerable among us.

For example, authorities have reached out to the Panamerican Health Organization (PAHO) hissing and whining about the fact that the draconian unilateral coercive measures leave Venezuela unable to purchase essential medicines for babies born with inborn metabolism errors (IME), a genetical condition that can wreak havoc on cells, organs, and systems. The only catch? The medicines are simply not produced anywhere but Denmark, and the suppliers have chosen to dig their heels in with resolute stubbornness when it comes to trading with Venezuela.

The same story unfolds with the operation of Venezuela's 19 linear accelerators, fancy machines used for radiotherapy for cancer patients. These juggernauts of modern medicine are manufactured by the likes of Siemens, Electra, and others, and since said multinational corporations are still locked in the bear hug of sanctions imposed by the US, they've turned a stone-cold shoulder to Venezuela, refusing to sell equipment, spare parts, or even offer technical assistance. This, in turn, puts the lives of more than 90 percent of radiotherapy patients under the cold steel of the guillotine.

When confronted about the devastating human toll of these coercive measures, US spokespeople often fall back on the "humanitarian exemptions" routine. But, as Venezuelan NGOs have pointed out, these exceptions are practically useless given the "overcompliance" around sanctions.

To make matters worse, recent actions by the US administration, such as terminating oil licenses and introducing secondary tariffs, have ratcheted the pressure on Venezuela’s already-strained economy, potentially deepening the healthcare crisis already in chaos.

But the story doesn't end here. There are shining beacons of hope and defiance amidst the suffocating darkness. Venezuelan physicians and researchers have shown remarkable resilience and ingenuity in the face of adversity, making groundbreaking advancements in obstetrics, percutaneous sclerotherapy, and regenerative medicine.

In the midst of the gloom and despair, there's no shortage of help from our allies, either. Russia has stepped up with free treatment for thousands of diabetic patients, and a joint effort with Iran has been spawned to train Venezuelan healthcare workers and establish new cancer treatments.

Friends, I can't sugarcoat it any longer – the situation is dire, and displays of sympathy are no longer enough. It's time to take action, to stand in solidarity with our fellow humans who are leaking blood on the rocks of oppression. Equality, justice, and compassion must be the driving forces behind our actions, or what's the point, really?

Jessica Dos Santos, a Venezuelan university professor, journalist, and writer, puts it best: the struggle continues!

Jessica Dos Santos is a Venezuelan university professor, journalist, and writer whose work has appeared in outlets such as RT, Épale CCS magazine, and Investig'Action. She is the author of the book "Caracas en Alpargatas" (2018). She's won the Aníbal Nazoa Journalism Prize in 2014 and received honorable mentions in the Simón Bolívar National Journalism prize in 2016 and 2018.

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Venezuelanalysis editorial staff.

Translated by Venezuelanalysis.

  1. The sanctions imposed by the US on Venezuela have severely impacted the healthcare system, leaving 300,000 chronic patients at the mercy of their fate in securing HIV, hypertension, and diabetes medicines.
  2. In 2019, Venezuela struggled to secure essential medicines due to US sanctions, a situation that affected people suffering from chronic diseases.
  3. Sanctions have deprived vulnerable individuals, including grandparents in Venezuelan barrios, of proper medical care under the unforgiving Caribbean sun.
  4. Politicians and media pundits often claim sanctions only affect the elite or corrupt politicians, but the reality is more harsh.
  5. US sanctions have left Venezuela unable to purchase essential medicines for babies born with inborn metabolism errors (IME), a condition that can wreak havoc on cells, organs, and systems.
  6. The medicines required for IME patients are only produced in Denmark, and the suppliers have chosen to withhold trading with Venezuela.
  7. Fancy machines used for radiotherapy for cancer patients, such as linear accelerators, manufactured by Siemens, Electra, and others, are unavailable to Venezuela due to US sanctions.
  8. US spokespeople often claim humanitarian exemptions, but these exceptions are practically useless given the "overcompliance" around sanctions.
  9. The US administration's recent actions, such as terminating oil licenses and introducing secondary tariffs, have exacerbated the already-strained economic situation in Venezuela, potentially deepening the healthcare crisis.
  10. Venezuelan physicians and researchers have shown remarkable resilience and ingenuity in the face of adversity, making groundbreaking advancements in obstetrics, percutaneous sclerotherapy, and regenerative medicine.
  11. Russia has stepped up to provide free treatment for thousands of diabetic patients in Venezuela.
  12. A joint effort with Iran has been initiated to train Venezuelan healthcare workers and establish new cancer treatments to alleviate the healthcare crisis.
  13. The healthcare crisis in Venezuela calls for action and solidarity from the international community, with equality, justice, and compassion as the driving forces.
  14. Sanctions have denied essential supplements, such as medicines, to those who need them most in Venezuela.
  15. Venezuela's healthcare system is in chaos due to US sanctions that make it difficult for the country to purchase essential medical supplies.
  16. The brutal impact of US sanctions on Venezuela's healthcare system is undeniable, with many patients suffering and dying due to a lack of basic medical care.
  17. The closure of the CITGO program, a lifeline for Venezuelan children battling leukemia and other heavyweight illnesses, has left families struggling to preserve their children's lives without essential treatment.
  18. Essential medicines and treatments for pulmonary, respiratory, digestive, eye, hearing, and skin conditions are in short supply due to US sanctions.
  19. The healthcare crisis in Venezuela has also affected mental health, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic diseases, worsening the overall health and wellness of the population.
  20. The healthcare crisis in Venezuela has severely impacted workplace wellness and medical-conditions related to stress and occupational health risks.
  21. Fitness and exercise programs have been compromised due to the unavailability of medical care and resources, leading to declines in physical and mental health.
  22. Sanctions have put a strain on sexual health and reproductive services, making it difficult for people to access necessary therapies and treatments.
  23. Sanctions have also affected men's health, aggravating conditions such as prostate cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
  24. The healthcare crisis in Venezuela has also had a significant impact on women's health, with many women facing challenges in accessing gynecological care, reproductive health services, and maternity care.
  25. Parenting has been affected by the healthcare crisis, with parents struggling to find resources to care for their children's health and development.
  26. Cardiovascular health has suffered due to the lack of access to medical care and essential medications, leading to a rise in heart disease and stroke.
  27. Skin care and dermatology services have been compromised, with many people suffering from various skin conditions due to a lack of access to proper treatments.
  28. Education and self-development have been adversely affected by the healthcare crisis, with students and professionals unable to access necessary medical care, therapies, and treatments that would enable them to reach their full potential.
  29. The healthcare crisis has affected personal growth, productivity, and career development opportunities by limiting people's access to necessary medical care.
  30. The healthcare crisis in Venezuela has had a far reach, with impacts on policy and legislation, job searches, general news, crime and justice, and online education.
  31. Sanctions have limited access to therapies, treatments, and interventions, such as car accidents, migraines, learning disabilities, and mindfulness techniques, worsening the overall health, quality of life, and wellbeing of the population.
Health columnist Jessica Dos Santos discusses the challenges and victories in the healthcare industry while addressing the impact of harsh U.S. sanctions.
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