BBC: Cuba - The best health service in the world?

[muriel_volestrangler]

Completely unconnected with Castro's operation today, the BBC has just started a series of reports on "the best public services in the world" - kicking off with Cuba's health system. I thought it might be of interest to some DUers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/5236370.stm ; and click on 'Newsnight player' - the Cuba segment starts at about 35 minutes into the video, and lasts about 12 minutes.

They say the next segment is public transport, from Portland, Oregon. Is that really that good? (I wonder if they're trying to be a bit 'surprising' - go to a poor country for good health care, somewhere in the USA for public transport, and so on).

[Pavulon]

1. I'll take John Hopkins

Duke, mayo,Cedars-Sinai etc.

Not knocking cuba.

[demosincebirth]

3. Cuba's HC system is free and what I've read

in the past, its one of the best in the world.

[killbotfactory]

5. They won't allow me in

no healthcare coverage.

[Pavulon]

8. They cant refuse to treat you in the er

illegal.

[killbotfactory]

11. And I will be able to pay for it how?

Oh yeah, I can go bankrupt. Awesome!

[cobalt1999]

6. same here. If I'm really sick and get to choose...

I REALLY doubt I'm heading to Cuba. I know they've done a great job of providing health care for everyone, but they would not be my first choice.

[malaise]

2. Thanks for this

I was lucky enough to see the Cuban health system in detail for myself. We in the Caribbean have also benefitted big time as we have several Cuban doctors, nurses and dentists working across the region. The Danes and Brits went to Cuba to study their health system since it is also the most cost effective community medicine on the planet.

[Judi Lynn]

10. It's tremendous seeing your comments!

You're the first one posting your perspective. We've read they work there, but NEVER had someone who knows about it personally.

Thanks for mentioning the Danes and Brits, as well, as it's not common knowledge in the States.

There are also two other DU'ers who've been treated by Cuban doctors in Cuba. They were there on visits. One went to a clinic which treats travelers, the other one's friends took him to a neighborhood facility for treatment.

Very glad you posted about this. :hi:

[malaise]

12. The first time I went to Cuba

I spent three weeks in the countryside as a graduate student. Coming from a developing country, what struck me was the healthy skin and teeth of the population. Additionally the way all spheres starts at the community level and then move to the highest showed a level of planning and structure that rarely takes place in our hemisphere.

I've been back several times - love the place.
Here's a link to the Latin American School of Medicine with an article from the New England Journal of Medicine
http://www.healthcare-now.org/cubaschool.php?sid=4&subid=28

[Benhurst]

4. I'm sure they must be saving the best for last. The World's Only

Superpower. We're Number One.

RAH! Rah! rah!

[John Q. Citizen]

7. But if you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it n/t

[Benhurst]

9. If you have to ask how much it costs, you're not a good BushAmerican. NT