Caracas, May 21: Venezuela has expressed serious concerns regarding the impact of unilateral US sanctions on its healthcare system during the 79th World Health Assembly. The country claims these sanctions have severely hindered access to medical supplies, medications, and health equipment.
At the forum held in Geneva, Mauricio Vega, Venezuela’s Deputy Minister of Hospital Affairs, stated that the sanctions have also affected the availability of healthcare professionals. He defended the country’s public health system, which is based on equality and primary healthcare, asserting that “health is a fundamental human right, not a commodity.”
Vega noted that a significant exodus of professionals in recent years has led to a shortage in the healthcare sector. However, he emphasized that the government is strengthening training programs for new professionals.
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, he also warned that the structural limitations caused by US sanctions increase the risk of certain diseases re-emerging, which could affect the general population.
Despite these challenges, Venezuela continues to implement policies aimed at ensuring the availability of universal health services. Vega reiterated the demand for the complete and unconditional removal of what he termed “inhumane unilateral sanctions.”
The Venezuelan Ministry of Health stated that the delegation, led by Vega, would firmly present the negative impacts of these sanctions at the 79th World Health Assembly.
Earlier this month, Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, dismissed the notion that the country could ever become another state of the US. She reaffirmed Venezuela’s sovereignty and independence, stating that the nation will continue to defend its freedom and history.
In a press conference held in The Hague, Rodriguez remarked, “US President Donald Trump knows that Venezuela is working on a diplomatic agenda for cooperation, and diplomacy is the way forward.”
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