LMSA West Story of the Month

Visiting Cuba: A Close Look at Another Type of Health System

Mariana E. Oliva-University of Washington Last summer, during the month of August, a group of eleven people (4 UWSOM students, 1 UWSOM professor, 1 nurse, 1 human rights advocate, 1 political science student, 1 writer / women's rights activists, and 2 engineers) traveled to Cuba. The purpose? To learn about Cuba's healthcare system, especially about their successful programs focusing on preventive and community-based medicine. The group spent a total of two weeks visiting a number of medical centers, including a policlinic, a family doctor's practice, a mental health clinic, a maternity home, a retirement home for the elderly, and the National Center of Sexual Education. Each visit provided an opportunity to talk to doctors, nurses, and patients, as well as experts in different areas of the Cuban healthcare system. In addition, the group's itinerary also allowed for learning about the Cuban culture. Besides Havana, the group traveled to other areas known for their natural beauty: the valley of Viales, the peninsula of Varadero, and colonial town of Trinidad. The group enjoyed learning about U of W students visiting a maternity home Cuban history, geography, music, and "criollo" cuisine. One of the highlights of the trip was interacting with Cubans in the streets of Old Havana, at the Malecn, or at the Casa de La Msica in Trinidad. It was a fun-filled trip with many takeaways. In a country with limited resources, it was a humbling experience seeing and experiencing the emphasis Cubans put on maintaining a universal, community-based healthcare system.

In the words of a couple of the participants: We not only had the opportunity to explore Cuban culture and the beauty of the country, but also the opportunity to see the possibilities of a socialist medical system that measured itself by how well it took care of the poorest and worst off within the population. It was inspiring for us as someday-professionals within the medical system to see that there really are other ways of taking care of people. Medical systems that are built on access to resources, education, giving basic needs of housing and food, primary care for all and specialized care for those that need are incredibly important and something that we hope to take home with us. Plus, we got good food, good music, good dancing, and amazing sights all along the way! -Ben Lang

"This trip was great. Our understanding of Cuba as a country is often muddled by politics and limited information. It was enlightening to visit and see the country for myself. Their healthcare model is also exceptional, and one of the biggest contributing factors I observed was a people and a government that truly value being healthy. People are active, they know where to get care, and many services are available to them." -Sean Bernfeld

One of the most memorable mornings was our meeting with staff from a mental health clinic that serves the densest neighborhood in the entire Caribbean, a corner of Havana much like the rest of the bustling city's core with tight, winding streets of tired, beautiful apartment buildings. The staff who sat with us - nurses, social workers, pediatric and adult psychiatrists, spoke with candor and passion about their challenging work: with alcoholU of W students visiting Cubas National Center of Sexual Eduction ism, depression, with the homeless, even how the Cuban medical establishment approaches ADHD treatment for children. More than anything, what struck me was that the work of the caring, committed physicians of this hyper-urban corner of Havana is identical to the work of the caring, committed physicians that I've shadowed at our public hospital in Seattle. Despite the radical differences in our social fabrics and our histories, the language and perspectives of committed caregivers seems universal.

-Benji Perin

We not only had the opportunity to explore Cuban culture and the beauty of the country, but also the opportunity to see the possibilities of a socialist medical system that measured itself by how well it took care of the poorest and worst off within the population.