Packaid Cuba (PAC)PackAID Cuba (PAC)

Cuban Adventures invites you to support PAC - a community project that provides medical supplies to hospitals in Cuba.

Did you know?

Cuba is rated very well on its health care system - eg very low rates for infant mortality, good life expectancy a large number of doctors per person, but still experiences difficulties in obtaining adequate medical supplies to serve its community. Amnesty International has reported that the US government is acting contrary to the Charter of the United Nations by restricting the direct import of medicine and medical equipment and supplies, and by imposing those restrictions on companies operating in third countries. The United Nations has repeatedly condemned the US embargo as it goes against the Charter of the UN and international law. See Amnesty International’s report.

Cuban law allow travellers to bring up to 10 kg of medical supplies as humanitarian aid.

How can you help?

If you are about to go to Cuba on one of our tours, you can participate in PAC by buying up to 5kg of medical supplies, packing it in your luggage, and taking it with you to Cuba. Your Cuban Adventures guide will take you to a local hospital to drop off your donation as part of your Cuba experience.

Cuban DoctorsWhat medical supplies should you buy?

Suggested items for basic wound care:

  • Crepe bandages
  • Paper tape
  • Gauze swabs
  • Antiseptic creams
  • Alcohol wipes
  • Surgical gloves
  • Pain relief medication
  • Sterile wound dressings (large)
  • Medicines for children - eg paracetamol for kids

We update this list from time to time with information from Cuban health professionals about their current priorities.

The story behind PAC

An image of DhayaniPAC was created by Dhayani Yogesvaran, an Australian who travelled to Cuba in 2009 for a holiday and needed medical attention following a motorbike accident. She was treated completely free of charge because Cuba is a socialist country and provides free health care. She was moved by the great work of the doctors and nurses despite the fact that they lacked adequate medical supplies – this came to her attention when the doctor advised her that there was no anaesthetic for the last three or four stitches on her arm! Ouch.

Dhayani was so inspired by the health professionals of Cuba that she started this project as a way to give something back to this truly amazing community. Her vision is to partner with travel companies to establish a global network of travellers to Cuba who take up to 5kg of medical supplies in their own backpacks, as a donation, to one of the Cuban hospitals on their travel itinerary.

Achievements to date

The first 5kg of medical supplies under PAC left for Cuba in April 2010, and we are pleased to confirm its delivery to two hospitals - in Vinales and in Santa Lucia, both located in the Pinar Del Rio province. Both hospitals were very grateful for the assistance.

A PAC volunteer is currently in Cuba delivering his medical supplies (January 2011) and we will continue to keep this page updated as the project grows.