For many years Cuba has been widely respected and known for its impressive healthcare
system especially in comparison to other countries in Latin America. However, Cuba’s
healthcare system is currently being faced with immense challenges surging from
economic difficulties to the sudden drop of resources.
Steven Ullmann, a UM health care business expert mentions the lack of health
infrastructure in Cuba. He also goes on to talk about the shortage of supplies given to
doctors and nurses. There is a specific shortage in medicine which is unable to be
imported by the government from outside countries. This shortage has caused much
frustration for many Cubans whose main source of medicine relies on people abroad
because of the high prices for imported medicine. Along with this shortage, there is a
growing population of elderly people in Cuba who are in need of long term care. With the
increasing number of elderly patients, there is a strain on resources in Cuba.
Healthcare Professionals
Most of Cuba’s medical system relies greatly on its highly qualified nurses,
doctors, however throughout recent years many Cuban healthcare professionals are
leaving the country. Many are going to countries that offer better wages such as Canada,
the United States and Spain. This is primarily due to the low salaries and harsh working
conditions. With this surge of fleeing workers in Cuba, the access to healthcare services
has diminished even more. While urban areas may still have somewhat access to decent
healthcare, the more rural communities are in danger as the remote places are unable to
obtain safe healthcare services. Eventually leading to greater diseases, no treatment, and
detrimental health outcomes.
Potential Solutions
With the help of government interaction, Cuba could enforce higher and more
sustainable wages as well as safer working conditions for all healthcare workers. This
could mitigate the staffing shortages and cause less workers to leave the country in hope
of better working opportunities.
Partnering with nearby medical universities or institutions for research could offer
Cubans with more resources to enhance their healthcare system. This partnership could
hold many benefits for the healthcare workers and the system overall. There would be
access to better practices, new technology, and more training programs for healthcare
workers.
Works Cited
Cantlupe, Joseph. “Behind Cuba’s Healthcare Curtain | AACP.” Www.aacp.org, 17 June 2019, www.aacp.org/article/behind-cubas-healthcare-curtain.
de Vos, Pol, et al. “Redirecting.” Google.com, 2025, www.google.com/url?q=doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czn010&sa=D&source=apps-viewer-frontend&ust=1746385049679939&usg=AOvVaw2VG06WWOGui6gQzF3GmHpv&hl=en. Accessed 3 May 2025.
Healthcare — Cuba Platform. “The Cuban Healthcare System.” Cuba Platform, 2014, cubaplatform.org/healthcare.
Loeb, Abigail. “Medical Servitude: The Other Side of Cuban Medical Diplomacy.” Harvard International Review, 7 Mar. 2024, hir.harvard.edu/medical-servitude-the-other-side-of-cuban-medical-diplomacy/.