Cuba: Medical

If you are a fan of Michael Moore, or perhaps even if you are not a fan, there's a chance you already know a bit about medical care in Cuba. In his movie 'Sicko'  Moore uses the Cuban system as a contrast to the system we have in the United States. Audaciously, Moore takes 9/11 responders to Cuba. These are people who became ill after working at the WTC Ground Zero but who cannot afford to be treated in the United States. They go to Cuba where they receive good care at low cost. Moore is probably also the reason I had to buy an $80 insurance policy before I could visit Cuba.

Medical is something Cuba does well. And, they do it on the socialist model - to each according to their need...  You need medical care, they provide it. Apparently this is something foreigners have clued into and some now come and take advantage - in both the positive and the negative sense. Hence, the requirement to have an insurance policy, valid in Cuba. Some one they can bill for your services.

A crossroads hospital in the countryside

Ideologically it has been important to the regime to provide good medical care to 100% of its citizens and they have made a concerted effort over a long-term to accomplish that. They have built the hospitals and they have trained the doctors and nurses and they have put the effort into understanding wellness. As Canadians know (I'm thinking of the high tax on cigarettes) that is one of the benefits of a government that is financially responsible for your healthcare. They really care whether you are well or sick.

The result has been very positive for Cuba. Cubans are happy with the care they receive. They can see a doctor for free. If they need medicine, it is available and affordable. If they are hospitalized there is no bill. The facilities, while clearly more modern and nicer in appearance in the cities, are spread throughout the country. Villages have clinics and crossroad towns have hospitals. Services are available and there were not huge crowds waiting.

A village clinic

A side benefit has been the development of medicine as an export commodity. The research put into healthcare is yielding therapies that can be sold world wide. Cuba's ability to train doctors has allowed them to barter those services to Hugo Chavez' Venezuela for oil. For a developing country, Cuba's medical system is nothing short of extraordinary.