This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
Yet America leaves over 50 million of its citizens uninsured, and about 40% of them will remain so under Obamacare, an outrageous program to ration care and enrich providers by leaving them mostly unregulated to operate as they wish.
In late 1990's, shortages of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies impacted Cuba's health system adversely, yet it devised innovative solutions, including development of a world-class biotechnology industry in state-of-the-art research labs where new drugs are developed for home use and export.
A May 2008 WHO assessment of "Cuba's primary health care revolution, 30 years on" cited impressive achievements even under embargo. WHO again said Cuban indicators "are close (to) or equal those in developed countries," including seven deaths per 1,000 children aged five or less, a decrease from 46 over 40 years earlier. At 77 years, Cubans also have one of the world's highest life expectancies.
The nation's centerpiece is its 498 community-based polyclinics, serving from 30,000 - 60,000 people. They act as organizational hubs for 20 - 40 neighborhood-based family doctor/nurse offices, and as accredited research and teaching centers for medical, nursing, and allied health sciences students. They're the backbone of Cuba's health system.
Most Cuban doctors practice general medicine because it's mandated for over 97% of medical graduates. Later they can apply for a second specialty area.
Since 2002, 241 polyclinics underwent extensive renovation, a process continuing today to maintain high standards consistent with modern technology, including care formerly only available in hospitals.
As a result, 22 services are offered, including rehabilitation, x-rays, ultrasound, optometry, ophthalmology, endoscopy, thrombolysis, emergency services, traumatology, clinical lab services, family planning, emergency dentistry, pre and postnatal child care, immunization, diabetic and elderly care. Other specialties include dermatology, psychiatry, psychology, cardiology, family and internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology, mouth diseases, plus other services.
They include acupuncture, message therapy, electromagnetic therapy, mud therapy, reflex therapy, heat therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, adult and children's gym, and more. At all times, quality care and patient satisfaction are stressed.
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
