{"id":475,"date":"2021-08-17T13:10:32","date_gmt":"2021-08-17T13:10:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.lovecuba.com\/?p=475"},"modified":"2026-05-01T19:54:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T19:54:36","slug":"cubas-healthcare-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lovecuba.com\/blog\/cubas-healthcare-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Cuba’s Healthcare System"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Is Cuba’s healthcare system beneficial for tourists?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Introduction to Cuban healthcare<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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 \u2013 according to the latest data.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”476″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]COVID-19 entry requirements
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Notable accomplishments of the Cuban healthcare system<\/strong><\/p>\n

Infant Mortality\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Life Expectancy\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Lung Cancer Vaccine<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Disease Eradication<\/strong><\/p>\n

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:<\/p>\n