Cuban healthcare system compared to the United States

Cuban Healthcare

Healthcare in Cuba:

An examination of Cuban social history and healthcare

Cuba is one of the most unique nations in the world. Though a political rival of the United States since Communism took hold of the country in the mid-20th century, Cuba has nonetheless progressed in its own way. For all the negatives, the country has some positives. One of these is the country's beautiful tourist spot, two hours away from Havana, which includes wonderful beaches and modern hotel amenities.

Another positive is the country's healthcare system, and this issue will be examined in the paper, both as it functions in the country, and as it is different from healthcare in the United States. Prior to analyzing this specific aspect of Cuba, one must first understand a little bit of history. Therefore, the paper will be divided into two sections: the first will include background on the country, and the second will examine Cuba's healthcare system.

Healthcare: Good and Bad

Healthcare in Cuba can contribute to some of the woes presented above. There are various beliefs about health care in Cuba, both good and bad. This section will thus present both sides, in a fair and balanced way, and determine which is the reality in Cuba. Most foremost international journals, and some U.S. individuals (i.e. Michael Moore) actually applaud Cuban health care.

However, there are some who do not believe in the healthcare system, especially in psychiatric healthcare.

Most Americans know about the healthcare system in Cuba from the documentary Sicko, by Michael Moore. According to one website, there is a scene in the film where Moore walks into a pharmacy, asks for asthma medicine, and it given plenty. Though this seems like heaven for U.S. citizens who pay above and beyond for medicine, the reality is not so straightforward. According to the report,

"According to Moore, his guests received the "the same care" that any regular

Cuban would receive, "no more, no less." But the scene at the Cuban pharmacy,

[…] was a fallacy conceived, scripted, staged and rehearsed by the Cuban regime

with Moore's acting the part of the useful idiot."

The article goes on to say that a correspondent for a Pennsylvanian newspaper who visited the country in 2007 stated,

"I asked the guide what Cubans did if they had a cold. The guide said that a Cuban would go to the doctor -- a visit free of charge -- who would write a prescription for aspirin. However, there would be no way to fill the prescription. We visited a pharmacy later in the trip. Behind the counter five well-dressed Cuban women waited to serve, but the shelves were empty. The only items in sight were the monthly ration of sanitary napkins, 10 permitted per Cuban woman per month."

This is the paradox of Cuban healthcare -- it is readily available, but if somebody really does need medicine, such as in the case above, to get better, this may not be readily available.

Some articles, however, do not agree with the one written above. For example, the Guardian UK states that there are various programs that do help some parts of the population. For example, senior citizens benefit from exercise classes or other health related classes. The UK newspaper gives a whole slideshow, where each slide speaks about a different means in which Cubans benefit from the system. The article also includes Cuban rations, which are also very interesting:

"A Cuban adult's monthly food ration: 3.8kg of rice, 283g of dried beans, 2.3kg of sugar, 113g ounces of coffee, about two cups of cooking oil, 10 eggs, a bag of salt, a bar of soap, a tube of toothpaste, 226g of dried pasta, 226g of sweetened cocoa, 1.8kg of potatoes, 30 bread rolls and a bottle of dishwashing liquid. [They also receive] crackers, 283g of fish, 226g of chicken and a little less than 500g inexpensive meat products."

From this quote, one may already state that this is unfair, that the people in Cuba are truly not benefitting from the system, and may start to question whether the "good sides" of the system are put forward for foreigners. However, other proponents beg to differ. Another article states that the system is actually world class, and is proven with a great life expectancy for Cubans, which extends to 77.5 years (the U.S. is at 78.1 years).

Findings

The paragraphs above presented a short history on Cuba, as well as the positives and negatives of its healthcare system, which were the primary examining point for the paper. The paper has thus found that there are many struggles in Cuba, and there are some struggles still with healthcare, as not everyone benefits from it equally. However, the truth is that the country's system is functioning, with one doctor for every hundred or so patients. Furthermore, the country's high life expectancy, which is as high as that of the U.S. almost, is proof that the country's health care system is functioning well, even though it is not perfect, and may be better functioning than even other social systems or the country's politics.

Dixon, D. (2011). Exploring Cuba. University of Florida. Retrieved August 11, 2011, from .

Drake, R. (2011). Travelling to Cuba: A Unique Experience. I-to-I Volunteering. Retrieved August 11, 2011, from .

Background Note: Cuba. (2011). U.S. Department of State. Retrieved August 11, 2011, from .

Cuba Travel Information. (2011). United States Government. Retrieved August 11, 2011, from .

Cuba. (2001). World Health Organization. Retrieved August 11, 2011, from .

Cuban Healthcare. (2011). Retrieved August 11, 2011, from < http://library.thinkquest.org/18355/health_care_in_cuba.html>.

Cuban Healthcare (2011). The Real Cuba. Retrieved August 11, 2011, from .

Cuban Healthcare (2011). The Real Cuba. Retrieved August 11, 2011, from .

Healthcare in Cuba. (2007). Guardian UK. Retrieved August 11, 2011, from < http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/gallery/2007/jul/17/internationalnews#/?picture=330245498&index=3>.

Keim, B. (2010). What Cuba can teach us about healthcare. Wired Science. Retrieved August 11, 2011, from .