Medicine capitalist in Cuba.

There are double standards discriminatory and exploitative Cuban doctors and patients both for foreign patients.

By Dr. Eduardo Enrique Herrera Duran.*

For many in the world, in Cuba, medical care is free. But actually it is not so, and especially for tourists. People who visited the island and ill, have seen are required a hefty payment in foreign currency by the health services required.

Some foreigners complained that they have to pay for any services of this type that will deliver to them at a much higher price than in some of their countries, and with less quality. In addition, sometimes they are examined by several specialists unnecessarily, charged each query in order to increase the final amount.

As medical specialists, sometimes forwards us cases to assess as surgeons who had simply not are sent to our service. In my opinion, this happened for the effort to add an unnecessary specialist consultation and thus charged more.

An example of this occurred on February 14 of Calixto Garcia University Hospital at emergency room. A German patient who suffered several diarrhea ended envoy to be valued by the emergency surgery and therapy, most without this case required it, which was discussed by the medical team.

Hospitals such as the Cira García, Camilo Cienfuegos and the CIREN (Neurological Restoration Center), are those who receive largest number of foreigners. Others only have some rooms which cater to this type of patient, as it is the case of the Hospitals Pando Ferrer, Hnos Amejeiras and CITED (Ibero-American Centre for the Elderly), in the Calixto Garcia University Hospital.

Ambulances available in the Hospital “Cira Garcia". Author’s photo

Hospitals and rooms primarily responsible for the care of foreigners have better comfort. The equipment is superior and the staff working in them are familiar with provide a service that is not customary in health centers where are served our neighbors.

When tourists arrive to seek medical attention, are required to pay either cash or insurance cards. However, despite such outlay, the doctors who are in charge of care for them not benefiting from this gain. They receive the same salary as all other specialists (approximately the equivalent in pesos to about 60 to 70 dollars a month).

Thus, is the most profitable business for the Cuban State, forming a large number of professionals in the sector without investing much in it. The teachers who teach them usually win approximately 80 dollars a month.

Formed as low-cost physicians are sent to many countries for the so-called "medical collaborations". As a result, and unlike the worker who produces them, the Cuban State receives juicy profits.

This machine make money also joined the physicians from other countries who are studying on the island. Input, and only by registration for the specialty, pay 18 thousand dollars annually. This figure would represent a fortune to any Cuban, even being a teacher of the most qualified. Working in Cuba, could not meet this amount in a lifetime.

Cuba is a paradox for scholars of classical Marxism. For those who still believe in the myth of free medicine, "Socialist" model was transformed into a country where the capitalist health care method, applies more however wages which sustain it remain insufficiently low.

* Dr. Eduardo Herrera Duran is a physician specialist in Surgery. He lives in the city of Havana, Cuba and works at the University Hospital "Calixto García". He collaborates with the independent Cuban Press Agency, Hablemos Press, on health issues. Some of his articles appear in the Blog of Cuban Medicine.  (Microsoft translator)

Source: Hablemos Press

Abandonment and neglect in the health system in Cuba.

Health in Cuba: apart from the impressive achievements.

By Paulino Alfonso Estevez.

It is true that in comparison with African countries and many in Latin America and Asia, in terms of health, Cuba can show impressive achievements, which are presented by the propaganda of the regime as one of the greatest achievements of the revolution.

However, in public health in Cuba, beyond the impressive achievements, there are enough abandonment and neglect. Suffice it to recall that in January 2010, in the Psychiatric Hospital of Mazorra, died of hunger and cold in 26 patients.

The Castro regime, in Exchange for money and political purposes, diverted to other countries health care, to the detriment of the Cuban people.

Patients who died on the Psychiatric Hospital of malnutrition and cold.

Since 2002, only for medical services, the Cuban regime has received 120 000 000 $ of the Venezuelan Government.

It also receives annually 2 500 000 dollars on the part of other more than 30 Governments also staffed by Cuban doctors.

No country in the third world has received such amount of money for the export of human resources.

Despite this avalanche of money giving the exportation of medical and paramedical, the Cuban people live, as saying the Spanish, to two servings, of hunger and need.

A few years ago, as reported to the Communist Party by the then Minister of health, José Ramón Balaguer, in Havana there was 300 closed clinics because "their doctors were in Venezuela or other countries".In the other provinces had nearly 500 clinics closed.

For 20 years the regime not dealt with repair of clinics, polyclinics and hospitals. 5 years ago decided to undertake partial repairs (have only made an overhaul in the Hospital "Calixto García", in El Vedado).

Six years ago, a Prince of Saudi Arabia donated 30 million dollars for the reconstruction of the children's Hospital "Pedro Borras", Vedado. But it seems that this donation was used in another thing, because what was that children's hospital is now a heap of ruins. ( Microsoft translator)

Read in Spanish: AQUI

Source: Primavera digital.

Insufficient compensation, the high cost of living, and increased demand have also influenced the health care sector in Cuba.

Increase in medical tension – or in medical attention

By Dr. Eduardo Herrera Duran.*

News media inside and outside of Cuba highlight the functioning of the Island’s health care system. They consider it exemplary, and even compare with developed countries.

Many of my medical colleagues and I have been discussing the condition of medical care in recent years. The majority of us agree that it has been deteriorating for more than 20 years. Contrary to what the Cuban state communicates.

The lack of professional, technical and service personnel in the public health centers – something that militates against good care – is evident. At the wards that receive a great number of patients, often one can find only one nurse – even in intensive care units, where the ratio should be one nurse per patient. In general, each nurse is tending to two or three very gravely ill patients at a time.

Nor can we find nurse assistants, nor cleaning staff; in the best of cases, these are not sufficient to the task. All of which causes the hygiene in the various departments to not be what it should be in a center for treating the sick.

The number of physicians has been gradually diminishing because of their recruitment for the so-called “missions,” which generate juicy revenues for the government. All of which increases the number of patients for each doctor to see, which adversely impacts the quality of care.

To all this, let us add the shortages of necessary medications, supplies and equipment that we do not have on hand when we are treating patients. This affects not only the patients and their families, but also the public health personnel who find themselves unable to provide good service.

Insufficient compensation, the high cost of living, and increased demand in the country have also influenced the health care sector, which is among the most essential for maintaining the well-being of our citizens.

Unquestionably, these factors have influenced the sector’s deterioration. Officials from the Public Health Ministry, during their scheduled visits to the health care centers, see only what they want to see, and do not reflect the reality of what is occurring in their reports to the citizenry. They say that although there are fewer health care centers, medical care has increased in quality.

Referring to what the Public Health Minister said in the most recent meeting of the National Assembly of the People’s Power, one of the physicians, with whom I conversed, Dr. Dayte, said (with humor despite the adversity we face), “Possibly, when they refer to medical attention, there is some misunderstanding, and it is really medical tension that has increased.”

*Dr. Edward E. Herrera Duran. He is a physician, specialist in surgery, living in Cuba and works at the University General “Calixto Garcia” in Havana, Cuba. He writes articles about health to Hablemos Press Agency.

Source: Hablemos Press and Translating Cuba. Translated by: Alicia Barraqué Ellison

¿Why hoarding in Cuban Public Health System?

By Dr. Eduardo Herrera.*

Most state workers in Cuba have the need, in a personal capacity, getting the tools, material and to determine the places where they work. Public health has not escaped this phenomenon.

Doctors, nurses and many health technicians have to grab some materials to work comfortably and try to avoid complications in patients they serve. Grabbing instruments and medicines needed in their daily work.

Dr Eduardo Herrera. 

"Ensuring sutures, catheters, instruments or any other team gives us work with less stress," pose a group of my surgical colleagues. This would have serious consequences that surprised performing these practices, as they could be expelled from the centers and go to prison.

Notwithstanding the measures taken by the government and not allowed to have materials and instruments in personal lockers for workers, these manage to violate the laws.

Many feel they must ensure their work with patients while some take advantage of gaps to get some gains to alleviate the low wages earned. To at least buy food, clothes and shoes.

The situation is not as simple as it seems, as were the staff, especially doctors myself included. We face problems with patients about the limited possibilities to solve your health problem due to lack of resources. Which we would have to pay in case of a complaint, in a fatal outcome.

The leader in the country, do not present the situation and the shortcomings we suffer, when to punish. The conditions not only work but also of life. They are not taken into account when requiring.

Today we see a surgeon, after taking a crowded bus and traveling for some hours, have to operate a case without taking into account as then finds the stress suffered during the trip. He is considering whether breakfast, because their salary reaches him badly to eat.

The health personnel in Cuba are exposed to these and other difficulties to overcome them are just a way out of mission or collaboration. Reason why the Cuban doctors are always ready to participate in any contingency.

Only then would better working conditions for a while. Earn a little more, have a chance to buy a car or a house, otherwise the government granting it.

As to enjoy their work in other countries, although they supposedly poorest, will provide more opportunities at work and in their lives. 

*Doctor Herrera  is a specialist in General Surgery and works at the University Hospital "Calixto Garcia" in Havana , Cuba where he also resides. Collaborates with the website of Cuban issues ,Hablemos Press.