Often people underestimate Cuba in many ways, mistakenly believing that this country is stuck in the past and is some kind of Soviet Union. However, this is not the case. Yes, there is a low standard of living and there are no modern skyscrapers and megacities, but Cuba can still boast of something. For example, a well-developed healthcare system, which is recognized as one of the best in the world. It not only meets modern standards, but also is the standard of quality for many other countries. Let's look at the basic myths and reality about medicine in Cuba in order to dispel universal stereotypes.
general information
The state gained independence about 80 years ago. After the war and revolution ended, the government gained control over all sectors and spheres of the country's life. Medicine in Cuba is also under state jurisdiction. A high level of its development is evidenced by the average life expectancy: according to the latest statistics, it is 76 years. This indicator is one of the highest in the world. Today, the country has more than 1300 hospitals and clinics supervised by the Ministry of Health.
Why is Cuba good medicine? This is due to the full support of the government. Huge amounts of money are allocated annually for its development. At the same time, great attention is paid not only to treatment, but also to the prevention of various diseases, as well as the development of new medications. According to official information, there are eight doctors per 1000 people, and a personal doctor is assigned to each family.
Diagnostic programs
What are they and what is their feature? Medicine in Cuba is developing in compliance with all the standards of the World Health Organization, therefore, qualified assistance is provided to patients. Also in the country there are various diagnostic programs, the main task of which is:
- prevention of various pathologies;
- identification of diseases in the initial stages of development;
- assessment of the general health status of citizens;
- identification of risk factors that increase the level of development of chronic ailments.
There are diagnostic programs of both general and narrowly targeted significance, for example, cardiology, oncology, etc. That is why it is generally accepted that Cuba has the best medicine in the world. If any health problems are identified, the patients are immediately referred to a qualified specialist, due to which the diseases are detected early and they can be quickly and without consequences defeated.
Health insurance
What you need to know about this? All citizens are served in hospitals for free, but tourists will have to pay for any services. Therefore, deciding to spend a vacation in this country, it is worth thinking about buying medical insurance. It provides an opportunity for free:
- call an ambulance;
- undergo inpatient or outpatient treatment;
- make an appointment with the dentist;
- receive monetary compensation for the purchase of medicines.
A citizen of almost any country can apply for a policy, so no problems should arise.
Types of Health Insurance
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Tourists who plan to spend their holidays on Freedom Island or go there for treatment, the question arises of which insurance program to choose. The Cuban government seeks to take into account the interests of representatives of various categories of people, so it has developed several types of medical policies from which you can choose the most suitable for yourself. Today there are such insurance programs:
- basic;
- full ambulatory;
- full with one-day hospitalization;
- prophylactic for the elderly;
- gynecological;
- for people suffering from hypertension;
- children’s.
Each type of health insurance has a different cost and covers certain cases. In order to choose the most suitable program for yourself, it is recommended that you first study their conditions, as well as take into account your own health problems.
Documents required for hospital services
As mentioned earlier, medicine in Cuba is very well developed and is under the full control of the state, therefore corruption schemes are excluded. However, in order to undergo treatment, the patient will have to prepare a package of certain documents. It includes:
- an invitation from a medical institution;
- any document confirming solvency;
- disease history.
To receive an invitation, you must first contact the clinic with your medical card and the results of all laboratory tests that have been conducted. It is very important that all documents are translated into Spanish.
Treating children
This aspect should be given special attention. On Liberty Island, all patients, regardless of age, are well treated and provide all the necessary services. But medicine is especially well developed in Cuba for children. Kids from all over the world can get free treatment in this country. Doctors achieved great success in the following industries:
- endocrinology;
- otorhinolaryngology;
- cardiology;
- ophthalmology;
- gastroenterology.
The level of medicine in Cuba in the field of psychiatry is also high. To combat many pathologies associated with impaired functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems, doctors practice animal therapy. A lot of free rehabilitation centers are open throughout the country, in which anyone can go for treatment.
Medical Visa
So what do you need to know about this? The government pays much attention to the development of medicine in Cuba for tourists. Residents of the countries that are part of the CIS can get to Liberty Island without a visa, according to their foreign passport. Free time is 30 days. However, if you are planning a trip to undergo therapy for serious diseases, then an authorization is required. To get it, you will need:
- international passport;
- migration card;
- document confirming solvency.
If you apply for a visa through the Cuban embassy located in your country, you do not need to provide a migration card. The average waiting time is 14 days, so try to plan your trip in advance.
Cost of treatment
This aspect is worth exploring first. Medicine in Cuba is paid for foreigners, so many people are interested in the question of how much it will cost them to undergo a full course of treatment in the presence of any disease. It is very difficult to name exact prices, since they depend on many factors and vary in a very wide range. Sample numbers are as follows:
- oncology - from 241 to 603 thousand dollars;
- brain surgery - from 151 to 755 thousand dollars;
- kidney transplant - 383 thousand dollars;
- neuro-rehabilitation therapy - 224 thousand dollars;
- tooth filling - $ 25;
- plastic surgery - an average of 11 thousand dollars;
- liposuction - 600 dollars.
At the same time, the cost does not include transportation costs, insurance policy, accommodation and meals. Therefore, you should carefully plan your expenses. On average, an adult in Cuba will spend $ 50 a day when staying in a middle class hotel.
Medical Resorts
Many people have long been interested in the question of where in the world medicine is in Cuba. And this is not surprising, because every year more than 20,000 people from all over the world come to this country to undergo treatment in local hospitals and clinics. But even more tourists come for health tourism. And this is also not surprising, because on Liberty Island a unique ecosystem has been created, and also a huge number of various sanatoriums and dispensaries have been opened. Among the most famous are the following:
- Havana is a wide-profile center specializing in the treatment of various diseases of the cardiovascular, digestive and endocrine systems. All clinics located in the resort are equipped with the most modern equipment and have qualified personnel.
- Varadero - The main specialization is Dermatology and Orthopedics. There is also everything necessary for the treatment of various pathologies of the nervous system and respiratory tract.
- Santiago de Cuba - known worldwide for its mineral springs, the waters of which contribute to recovery in the presence of allergies, skin diseases and rheumatism.
It is worth noting that, of course, medicine in Cuba is one of the best, but people from all over the world come to Liberty Island not only for this reason. Here, very cheap accommodation and food, as well as a friendly population, which makes holidays in this country simply unforgettable.
The most common myths
As mentioned earlier, there are many speculations about the health care system on Liberty Island. Some consider it one of the best, while others claim a low level of development. But how are things really? Is there anything in common between reality and the myths of medicine in Cuba? The following facts will help answer this question:
- Education and healthcare are free for all Cubans.
- In Cuba, there are very qualified surgeons who perform operations of any complexity. Cancer treatment is one of the most effective in the world.
- When living in the country for a long time, foreign citizens receive the right to free medicine.
- Hospitals and clinics for tourists have created much better conditions and provide better service.
- The high level of development of medicine is due to the fact that the healthcare system is built on a model developed in the USSR.
- People on the island live long and rarely get sick, because much attention is paid to the diagnosis of diseases.
Thus, the general consensus that Cuba is one of the best healthcare systems is not a myth, but a reality. To see this personally, you need to visit this incredibly colorful and beautiful country at least once.
Patient Reviews
What do people who have been treated here or who have visited health resorts think about medicine in Cuba? The vast majority of tourists were completely delighted. Doctors are very attentive to their patients, and hospitals are equipped with all modern equipment. Also, the cost of treatment leaves a good impression. By modern standards, medicine is really very cheap here.
The best proof of this is the huge influx of Americans coming to the country to undergo therapy for a variety of health problems. Therefore, if you have long been suffering from any disease, you should definitely come to fight with him on Liberty Island. You can not only completely get rid of it, but also have a great rest on the snow-white Cuban beaches.
Conclusion
So, we have figured out in detail what constitutes the health care system in Cuba today. As you can see, all existing opinions about the low development of this country are nothing more than speculation. In any case, Cuban medicine in terms of development is not inferior to many Western countries. And this is far from the limit, because the government annually continues to fund research and development of new medications, and is also working on the re-equipment of hospitals and clinics. Therefore, it is possible that the whole world will travel to Cuba in the future.