In Cuba, the State regulates, finances and provides health services. These services operate under the principle that health is an inalienable social right, which defines the Cuban health system as a true National Health System.
Public health expenditure in Cuba is around 8,980 million euros, which represents around 15% of total public expenditure.
Cuba has more than 100,000 active doctors, which is the highest figure in history and a leading indicator in the world, with a ratio of 9.0 doctors per thousand inhabitants.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Cuba's health system is a model for the world. The many humanitarian services and professional and scientific collaboration on an international scale also give Cuba great prestige, always recognized for its solidarity policy in health, pride of all Cubans.
Education and health are therefore the pillars of Cuban society. A large part of the nation's budget is dedicated to them, with the aim of achieving the highest quality for its citizens. The study of medicine is an activity that has been promoted throughout the country, since the very beginning of the Cuban Revolution.
The objectives pursued by the Cuban health system are mainly aimed at providing a primary service to 4 groups. These include children, women, mothers and the elderly.
Primary health care in Cuba then focuses on these essential sectors. Through these health programs, health objectives are achieved in Cuba.
The Maternal-Infant Program pursues the objective of caring for the physical integrity of mothers and children. A priority and objective of this program is to minimize the infant mortality rate in Cuba.
The Elderly Care Program, which in a growing aging population, focuses its resources on assisting people over 60, who currently represent more than 21% of the population.
The Communicable Diseases Program, being one of the leading causes of death, the program seeks to control and prevent them as much as possible.
The Non-Communicable Diseases Program. Public health policies in Cuba aim to prevent non-communicable diseases, such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes and others that compromise the health of Cubans, and which are sometimes more related to lifestyles.
The structure of the health system in Cuba is composed of a Minister of Public Health (MINSAP), as well as vice-ministers, and national, provincial and municipal directors.
There are numerous health institutions in Cuba, including several dozen general and specialized hospitals, obstetrics and gynecology, maternity hospitals, rural clinics, retirement homes, homes for the disabled or pregnant women at risk, blood banks, cardiology centers, pharmacies and research institutes.
There are more than 80,000 hospital beds available, as well as hundreds of polyclinics and dental clinics. Cuba also has about thirty medical institutes and faculties, including the International School of Medicine.
100% of the funding for the Cuban health system comes from the State. Funds are obtained from different commercial activities, such as tourism and the export of professional products and services.
One of the main achievements of medicine in Cuba is the decrease in maternal and infant mortality. For several years, Cuba has had the lowest infant mortality rate in the region according to UNICEF. It is currently around 4.0 per thousand children.
One of the remarkable advances in medicine in Cuba is that medical research is at the forefront of the world in cancer treatment and vaccine production.
In addition, life expectancy at birth in Cuba is 78.73 years.
Prenatal transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to child has also been eliminated in recent years.
The MAIN CAUSES of DEATH in CUBA are:
1 ▪︎ Heart disease
2 ▪︎ Malignant tumors
3 ▪︎ Cerebrovascular disease
4 ▪︎Flu and pneumonia
5 ▪︎Accidents
6 ▪︎Diseases of the arteries, arterioles and capillaries
7 ▪︎Suicide and self-harm
8 ▪︎Diabetes mellitus
9 ▪︎Cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases
10▪︎Homicide
One of the world's most renowned health systems is Cuba's. The reason for this is the high level of efficiency and excellence in the quality of care and services provided. WHO gives the example that the excellence of a health service lies in the will of those who control it.
Access to health care in Cuba is universal. Every citizen has access to the same quality assistance, regardless of their socio-economic status.
All medical assistance is 100% free so far.
Thanks to the exchange of technology, Cuba's health system manufactures many of its own medical supplies.
80% of the raw material for medicines and vaccines is produced in Cuba.
In addition to these advantages, however, some criticisms are attributed to the Cuban health system.
Due to hostile international policies, access to technology is rather limited. This has prevented Cuban medicine from evolving at the same pace as the rest of the world.
The difficulties of importing caused by the economic blockade make medicines and supplies increasingly scarce, sometimes even inaccessible. Today, it is the general shortages of medicines that are causing the most harm to the Cuban population, especially the elderly.
The number of active doctors in Cuba was also reduced at one point by a considerable number, particularly due to professional missions abroad.
As Cuba's global prestige as a benchmark in health care grows, internal services to the population have deteriorated in recent years, due to numerous internal difficulties, as well as others related to the embargo.
The international work mission would still be considered in Cuba the most concrete possibility for a doctor to prosper quickly, given the cost of living, currently skyrocketing, and the relatively insufficient salaries that a doctor would receive in Cuba, although on average it represents at least double or triple that of any other professional.
No one can deny the merits of the Cuban health system. Its organizational capacity and professional and scientific efficiency have been demonstrated in the current confrontation with covid-19, including vaccines and the manufacture of sovereign pulmonary ventilators. The health strategy would have worked well during the most difficult times, I take my hat off to it. Tribute to our doctors trained by the Cuban Revolution, pride of this people, who are fighting again against the new outbreaks of the corona virus. Victory is only certain.
On the other hand, what is not a priority sometimes unfortunately shows an air of abandonment, despite the administration's efforts to guarantee a quality medical service.
Cubans would like to always be cured with the same quality of care as in the past, an undeniable achievement of the Cuban Revolution.
It would be really relevant then, in the context of the current monetary reform, to pay a much higher salary commensurate with the social importance of a doctor, whose passion, dedication and professionalism are often the most valuable weapons in the event of a health emergency. And the applause, so deserved, is not enough.
Cuba, today more than ever, needs its white-coated army.
(Source of statistics: Wikipedia)
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