Is Cuba’s healthcare system beneficial for tourists?
Cuba is a destination unparalleled both in beauty and political history, but its brilliant healthcare system is often overlooked by mainstream news. Planning a holiday to a tropical destination includes ensuring you will be taken care of in the case of an emergency, so read on for a comprehensive guide to Cuba’s healthcare system.
Introduction to Cuban healthcare
Cuban healthcare has been recognised around the world for its excellence and efficiency. As a fundamental human right, health services are free and fully accessible to every one of Cuba’s citizens regardless of their demographic makeup. The emphasis on preventative and primary care is likely why Cuba has been so efficient at dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Cuba has obtained health statistics similar to those in most developed countries.
In addition to its emergency measures, Cuba boasts free universal healthcare, a low infant mortality rate, high life expectancy, and the world’s highest doctor to population ratio – according to the latest data.
COVID-19 entry requirements
Cuba is one of the only countries that are allowing unvaccinated tourists into the country. You just need a PCR test within 48 hrs of arrival. If you are vaccinated, no PCR is required – you just have to show your certificate.
Notable accomplishments of the Cuban healthcare system
Infant Mortality
One of the hallmarks of a country’s healthcare system is its infant mortality rate. Cuba has consistently worked on decreasing the overall rate of infant mortality. In 2000, Cuba had an infant mortality rate of 6.3 per 100,000 live births, which was much lower than the infant mortality rate of the United States recorded at 7.1 at the same point in time. By 2017, the infant mortality rate in Cuba had decreased to 4.1, again lower than the US rate of 5.7 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Life Expectancy
1973 saw Cuba initiate its community medicine program, which increased life expectancy to 73.8 years, 15 years more than the age of 58.8 years marked before the revolution. At the time, Cuban life expectancy was slightly higher than that of the US. Cuba was also able to meet the World Health Organisation’s Millennium Development goals 15 years before the target deadline. WHO aimed to lower the 1990’s under-5 mortality rate by two thirds by 2015. The island nation of Cuba was able to achieve this goal by the year 2000.
Lung Cancer Vaccine
Cimavax is a lung cancer vaccine developed by the Centre for Molecular Immunology after a trial phase of over 405 lung cancer patients within Cuba. The trial showed that patients given the drug could live on average three months longer than those who didn’t receive the drug. The trial was so promising that the US Food and Drug Administration approved Cimavax for phase 1 efficacy and safety testing within the United States, despite the ongoing political friction between the two countries.
Disease Eradication
Cuba has no case of polio, having eliminated it in 1962. The Country also declared itself free of malaria in November of 1967. Cuba kept up with worldwide disease eradication trends by eliminating:
- neonatal tetanus in 1972;
- diphtheria in 1979;
- congenital rubella syndrome in 1989;
- post-mumps meningitis in 1989;
- measles in 1993;
- rubella in 1995;
- tuberculosis meningitis in 1997.
Focus on Public Health Rather Than Profit
The number of drugs that have been developed inside Cuba’s laboratories is quite impressive. Moreover, its government holds patents for medicines and other medical innovations, which means no one is interested in profiting from higher drug prices. In short, the government makes it easier for Cubans to access drugs at a much lower cost than what they would generally get in any other healthcare system in the world.
In addition, Cuba’s has a policy of technology transfer that favours poorer countries. For example, Brazil is able to manufacture Cuba-developed meningitis vaccines at less than $1 per dose compared to $15-20 in other countries.
Conclusion
The Cuban healthcare system proves that vital services can be easily accessible to all. Its consistent success can be attributed to the emphasis on prevention and the funding that goes into academic research and medical training. As a result, the Country has a high standard of health provision that guarantees the safety of its citizens.
