May 2009

In Cuba, a poor country, we believe that one of the chief human rights is to have high-quality health.  This is one of the reasons why Cuban medicine focuses on preventative care.  Cuba is aware that transmissible diseases, such as the Influenza virus, constitute one of the main causes of death in developing countries and in underprivileged communities in the United States.  The program at ELAM was thus created to train physicians for the Americas to help fight and prevent disease.
 
The news of the Influenza virus echoed throughout the island.  At school, my microbiology professor, Doctora Isabel Herrera, gave us the news of the virus.  At that moment we were studying bacteria in her class but she made adjustments to the curriculum in an effort to give a brief introduction to our upcoming subject, virology.  She talked to us about the virus and gave critical information to protect ourselves and those around us.  From that day on ELAM professors gave us the latest updates regarding the virus.  At the school hospital, the news was taken seriously and any student presenting symptoms of the flu was admitted to the hospital for testing and observation.  On the street everyone was aware of the problem as well.  You may ask any Cuban citizen and they will tell you the latest news. 
I feel extremely safe in Cuba because there is an enormous effort to try to prevent the spread of the virus.  The island is vulnerable, however, since its economy depends largely on tourism.  Every tourist presents a threat, although measurements have been implemented on a national level to protect everyone in the island.
 
Our summer break is just around the corner and this also presents a threat to the island because the 10,000+ students from over 25 different countries studying in Cuba will return home for their summer break.  This implies that some of these students will be affected by the virus when they return home.  I have faith that Cuba will be more than prepared to welcome back the students in September while at the same time protect those that remained in Cuba.  I know that any measure that this country takes with regards to student travel will be to protect the student and thus prevent the further spread of the virus.
 
Cuba is a poor country tremendously affected by the never-ending tyranny of the US embargo and yet absolute protection and access to healthcare is guaranteed to its citizens.  You have access to healthcare in the city and in the most deserted areas of the island.  If you are disabled the physician will come to your house on a regular basis to meet your needs.  Despite all of the obstacles, Cuba always has a strategy in place to protect your health from any potential threat that may arise.  This is true in Cuba because they believe that one of the chief human rights is to have a high-quality health.  A healthy community is a happy and productive community. 

Contact information: 

Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina
Carretera Panamericana Km 3 ½
Santa Fé, Playa
Ciudad Habana, Cuba
C.P. 19108

Email:  Ramon Alejandro Bernal  alex238209@yahoo.com
Joanna Mae Souers  jsouers@gmail.com