Healthcare in Cuba: A Doctor’s Reality

HAVANA, Cuba — Cuba’s diplomatic relationships with the rest of the world may be tumultuous, but its well-regarded healthcare is once again in demand. Cuban doctors are now in Italy, South Africa, Jamaica and several other countries in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19. At first, Cuba may seem like a strange place to produce globally renowned doctors; however, healthcare in Cuba is impressive. Cuba boasts a world-leading doctor-to-population ratio and its infant mortality rates and expected lifespan are on par with developed countries like the United States. However, the reality for doctors is not always positive.

Cuban Currency

Despite its impressive healthcare records, many Cubans live in poverty and the country’s economy is suffering. Trade embargoes and a sudden lack of tourism, which is a major source of income for the country, have stunted an already weak economy. Exasperating its economic issues is the use of two currencies: the Cuban peso and the convertible peso. Tourists and those working in the private sector use the convertible peso. It is almost equivalent to the U.S. dollar; whereas, the Cuban peso is worth 25 times less.

Healthcare and education in Cuba are provided by the communist state, making teachers and doctors government employees. Since they are subject to government wages, they are paid in the Cuban peso. This means that Cuba’s doctors make around $50 a month. Host countries often pay a fee to have Cuba’s doctors work there, but 75-80% of that fee is sent back to the Cuban government. Even with just 25% of that fee, a doctor’s salary can jump to $1000 a month. They would never see that amount had they remained in Cuba.

Cuba Medical Missions

Cuba’s medical diplomacy is its leading source of income. Its medical missions bring in around $7 billion every year. Tourism is the second leading source of income, but in a time of quarantine, its already struggling economy is suffering more than most. Cuba ranks as one of the least economically free countries in the world, meaning its poor citizens do not have many financial options.

The private sector is small, and the global pandemic is forcing many private businesses to close. This leaves the state to provide for all citizens. Food rations and low wages affect many people, including doctors. Medical personnel sent abroad may help make up the majority of Cuba’s economy; however, this does not save its doctors at home from poor working conditions and poor wages.

The life of a Cuban doctor is complicated. Many consider their job a vocation, assisting the poor in their own country and abroad. Cuba does send doctors to some countries free of charge but will strike deals with others. In Venezuela for example, Cuba sends medical aid in exchange for oil. Some of these doctors have reported feeling forced into labor and unsafe.

The Backbone of the Cuban Economy

Many poor countries have a need for doctors, and Cuba fills that void. The money earned by the doctors is also what allows the poor living in their country to continue to survive. Without the income from the doctors, and with tourism being throttled by the coronavirus and trade embargo, Cuba’s residents could start losing access to services. The country has already had to ration food supplies. The Cuban doctor is vital to the health and well-being of the impoverished in the countries they visit as well as to the Cuban economy, and therefore, the Cuban people.

In a time of crisis though, Cuba’s well-regarded healthcare system is standing strong. Its number of cases of COVID-19 appears to have peaked already. Its mortality rate is much lower than the global average and it has begun mass testing. Cuba is also on the frontlines in the search for a treatment for COVID-19. It claims it has successfully treated patients in Cuba using interferons, a method also used in China. The treatment is still unproven, but is providing hope of an end to the global pandemic.

– Nick Rhodes

https://www.borgenmagazine.com/healthcare-in-cuba/

Doctors are the new global golds in town

Yes, Cuba pay its doctors $50(#25000) per month.
This has been the case for Cuban doctors a very long time.
And yet, you won't find them cursing their country at any given opportunity.

ivolt:
Yes, Cuba pay its doctors $50(#25000) per month.
This has been the case for Cuban doctors a very long time.
And yet, you won't find them cursing their country at any given opportunity.

What can N25,000 do for you particularly in a month, since you think it's enough as a wage for a month.

If u see sth wrong say it. Stop talking nonsense bro. Can u even survive alone on 25k in this country? And how true is this info.

ivolt:
Yes, Cuba pay its doctors $50(#25000) per month.
This has been the case for Cuban doctors a very long time.
And yet, you won't find them cursing their country at any given opportunity.

esthel:


What can N25,000 do for you particularly in a month, since you think it's enough as a wage for a month.

Picardor2:
If u see sth wrong say it. Stop talking nonsense bro. Can u even survive alone on 25k in this country? And how true is this info.

You don't get it.
Each country should pay what it can afford.
And not doing stupid comparison with far richer countries.

ivolt:



You don't get it.
Each country should pay what it can afford.
And not doing stupid comparison with far richer countries.

it is not what they can afford, they can do much more better than that, greed is just taking a better part of our law and policymakers. Politicians will steal 35 years salary of a civil servant in one fell swoop without remorse.

ivolt:



You don't get it.
Each country should pay what it can afford.
And not doing stupid comparison with far richer countries.

Nigeria can afford to pay as much as the so called rich countries but corruption has directed the funds to few individuals..

That's the issue doctors are having with the FG..so much wastage of financial resources on irrelevant projects..and health is relegated to the background.. SMH

We don't know our priorities as a country!

dawnomike:
Doctors are the new global golds in town

Then the ict professionals are diamond.

I hope you are aware that Cuba is a communist society unlike Nigeria. The government fixes the price of every item and salaries as well.
The monthly pay for an average Cuban is 20 dollars, while for the doctors is 60 dollars.
This means that you are being paid relative to prices of commodities in the country.
Education and Healthcare in Cuba is free, at zero costs unlike Nigeria where you have to pay out of your pocket for healthcare , and even though we claim Education is subsidized, we still have to pay school fee.

delana:
I hope you are aware that Cuba is a communist society unlike Nigeria. The government fixes the price of every item and salaries as well.
The monthly pay for an average Cuban is 20 dollars, while for the doctors is 60 dollars.
This means that you are being paid relative to prices of commodities in the country.
Education and Healthcare in Cuba is free, at zero costs unlike Nigeria where you have to pay out of your pocket for healthcare , and even though we claim Education is subsidized, we still have to pay school fee.

Cubans also have a longer life expectancy than us. They are sanctioned by America meaning they can't really trade with the global world yet they're still living longer than us. This is more proof that Nigeria needs socialism if we want to grow. Our economy is bigger than Cuba yet they still have a better quality of life than us. We need to stop listening to the west's lies on communism. Communism with Naija characteristics will save us! Capitalism is the reason why this country is a mess and it must be dismantled.

Hueman:


Cubans also have a longer life expectancy than us. They are sanctioned by America meaning they can't really trade with the global world yet they're still living longer than us. This is more proof that Nigeria needs socialism if we want to grow. Our economy is bigger than Cuba yet they still have a better quality of life than us. We need to stop listening to the west's lies on communism. Communism with Naija characteristics will save us! Capitalism is the reason why this country is a mess and it must be dismantled.

Capitalism has always been a scam, a mixed economy would have been more ideal, where government gets to checkmate the activities of the private sector.
A good example is the Cement Industry, if we had a government owned cement producing company with a reasonable price, Dangote and the others in that sector would be forced to beat down their prices.
Secondly, if the inflation rate was minimal, ie , most items remained affordable, I don't think anyone would be complaining about salaries, but can you imagine how much a load of bread is compared to 2019, yet salaries are not being paid.

delana:

Capitalism has always been a scam, a mixed economy would have been more ideal, where government gets to checkmate the activities of the private sector.
A good example is the Cement Industry, if we had a government owned cement producing company with a reasonable price, Dangote and the others in that sector would be forced to beat down their prices.
Secondly, if the inflation rate was minimal, ie , most items remained affordable, I don't think anyone would be complaining about salaries, but can you imagine how much a load of bread is compared to 2019, yet salaries are not being paid.

The Chinese path of development needs to be studied. They are about to become the next superpower without the use of colonial wealth. The west doesn't want us to follow the Chinese model because they want us dependent on them. That is why they claim China's Belt and Road initiative is colonialism. That train station they recently built in Lagos is bringing around 900,000$ in revenue per month. If we had really good leaders we could easily use these infrastructure developments to benefit us really well.