Cuba is located 90 miles off the coast of Florida in the Caribbean and is a country with a fascinating history, culture, and people. Unfortunately Cuba is off limits to Americans unless they are fortunate to have joined an organization that has a visa from the US Treasury service to enter the country.
In 2000, GEO in its first international mission visited Cuba, a country of 12 million people under the Visa of REI, an educational missionary group out of Colorado. At the Calixo Garcia hospital in Habana, Dr. Wagner lectured to the ENT department and perform the first endoscopic surgical procedure in that country.
Cuba is a unique country in that there are more doctors per cap there, than in any country of the world. Cuba, in light of its political environment and international criticism, has one of the best health care systems in the world. Spending less than 300 dollars a year per capita on health care compared to the USA with over 6000 dollars a year spent per capita, life expectany, infant mortality, and other measurable health parameters far exceed those of the devoped world, proving that the amount of money spent on health care is not a refelction on the health of a society.
One of the doctrines of the communist government is that education is free as well as housing and food. The government sends Cuban doctors all over the world to perform medical services. Upon their return they are offered better housing and the opportunity to purchase a car as a result of their service. GEO has encountered Cuban doctors in every country we have visited to date other than the US territory of American Samoa.
The ENT pathology encountered in Cuba was not unlike that in the USA. One difference that was noted was that Cuba, a tropical climate, is noted for having more nasal polyps than in the states. Also infectious disease including leprosy, TB, and AIDS are not unusual encounters in patients.
One of our more interesting experiences in Cuba was a visit to the leprosy hospital 25 kilometers outside of Habana, where we were able to see first hand patients with the disease and their resulting disfigurements.
International opportunities for medical students, residents, and ENT specialists to travel to Cuba are available, however they are difficult due to the US foreign policy. If you have an interest in going to Cuba please feel free to contact us info@geoutreach.org