Full Description
The Cuban health care system has been the focus of much international attention and debate while revealing jarring contrasts. Long publicized as the Cuban Revolution's greatest accomplishment, it is also a system covered by such a thick wall of political ideology that critical analysis is difficult. Its medical missions in Haiti and other developing countries have generated good will toward the Castro government, even as humanitarian groups in North America and Europe organize shipments of medicines and medical equipment to Cuban clinics and hospitals plagued by shortages of the most basic supplies. No country's health care system functions independently of its economy, and over the years, Cuba's medical services and public health indicators have improved at some intervals and declined at others. Cuban authorities have been closing medical facilities and making other cutbacks in the health budget, amid reported outbreaks of cholera and dengue fever in several parts of the country. The Cuban health care system is facing more upheaval as the country begins to look ahead to a post-Castro Cuba and the changes this could entail.
Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1. Medical Histories
Chapter 2. Shortages and Infrastructure
Chapter 3. Women and Children
Chapter 4. Ageing and Youth: A Cuban Dilemma
Chapter 5. Medical Education
Chapter 6. Pharmaceuticals
Chapter 7. Medical Diplomacy and Services Abroad
Chapter 8. Conclusions: Facing the Future
Appendix 1. Open letter from the General Surgery Department of the "Calixto Garcia" Hospital to the First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party and President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Army General Raul Castro Ruz
Appendix 2.A Cuban medical timeline
Bibliography
About the authors
Index
