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... oration about the U. S. government and the embargo against Cuba.
The U. S. is not all to blame but at the same time cannot be ruled out. Everyone seems to be blaming the U. S. but Castro plays a big part as well.
This release speaks of the small details that supporters of the embargo seem to leave out. As stated earlier, the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 does permit companies and their subsidiaries to sell medicine and medical equipment to the United States and has approved 36 of 38 license requests for commercial sales of medicines and medical equipment to Cuba. During the same period, the U. S.
has licensed over $ 150 million in humanitarian assistance which is more than the total world wide foreign aid received by Cuba in those years much of which came in medicines and other health-related items. (Burns) This contradicts the statement made by the U. S. corporate executives that licensing provisions are tough. They may be tough but they get the job done. The corporate executives may be bias in their judgment in saying this only because it is harder for them to be able to make the money. Castro's way of controlling health care does not benefit the majority of the people but only the few elites.
We must not forget once again that the U. S. is not all to blame since the U. S. did not create the health care system in Cuba. Health care has deteriorated for the average Cuban because of Castro government has made a choice to direct its resources elsewhere.
Aside from this, there has not been a fair healthcare system in Cuba. Substandard healthcare is available to the average Cuban while senior Cuban Communist Party officials and those who can pay in hard currency can get first-rate medical services when needed. This system exists because the Cuban Government has chosen to develop a two-tiered medical system, which established a kind of medical apartheid. This medical apartheid funnels money into services for a privileged few, while depriving the health care system used by the majority of Cubans of adequate funding. Following the loss of Soviet subsidies, Cuba developed special hospitals and set aside floors for exclusive use by foreigners who pay in hard currency. These facilities are well equipped to provide their patients with quality modern care. (Burns) In 1994, Cuba exported $ 110 million worth of supplies.
In 1995, this figure rose to $ 125 million. These earnings have not been used to support the health care system but diverted to support and subsidize Cuba's biomedical research programs. This money could have been used for primary care facilities. (Burns) In this release, Burns mentions a group of Cuban doctors that arrive to the United States said that they were mystified at the allegations made in the American Association for World Health that the United States embargo is to be blamed for the public health situation in the country. These are doctors that see how the system really works.
Burns also mentions the case dealing with the founder of the Havana International Center for Neurological Restoration and her views on how Castro runs the medical system. The founder is Dr. Hilda Molina. She quit her position in 1994 after refusing to increase the number of neural transplant operations without the required testing and follow-up visits. She expressed her outrage that only foreigners are treated. She resigned for her seat in the national legislature, and returned the medals Fidel Castro had gave her for her work.
For someone this dignified to see that the Castro government is wrong just gives people a better view and to think again on who is to blame. The U. S. has issued 21 visas to Cuban medial doctors in 1997 to attend medical congresses and / or to visit U. S. medical institutions.
Among other things, Cuban doctors have visited the Center for Disease Control, the University of Puerto Rico (Bio Ethics Congress), the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, the Johns Hopkins University/Johns Hopkins Schools of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill/Duke University (HIV infections), the Market Medical Eye Center, and the American Academy of Neurology (Parkinsons Disease). In 1996, visas were issued to 125 researchers in the natural sciences, most of whom were doctors who worked in hospitals and clinics throughout Cuba. (Burns) Referring back to medical contacts, the U. S. has clearly made an effort to educate and promote the latest advances in medical research throughout Cuba. The U. S.
S. R. gave $ 5 billion dollars a year in subsidies. With this money, the Cuban government has made significant advances in the quality of health care available to average citizens.
Even though this helps, the Cuban government also devoted the bulk of its money to the military. Poor economic conditions did not arrive from the embargo but began with the downfall of the Soviet Union. After the break up of the Soviet Union, the absence of subsidies from the Soviet Union has forced Cuba to face the real costs of its health care system. Since Castro refuses to adopt economic changes to reform its dysfunctional economy, the Castro government continue to spend more money to maintain expenses of the military. The Embargo Effects Health and Economy to a certain extent but not all of it should be blamed on the Unites States. Cuba has not only been affected by the embargo but also its dependence on the former Soviet Union.
The U. S. seems to be helping as much as they can given the situation. The government of Cuba has been known to be corrupt which does not help the economy. It seems that the only way we can truly free Cuba is by reform within the government. If Castro really wants the United States to lift the embargo, he should start making some changes as well.
How could the United States continue aiding a government that is not willing to give in. I feel that in order for us to aid Cuba, Castro should start making changes. It is not for the United States, but for his own people. Bibliography: USA Info-med. Health News From Cuba. 2000. web American Association for world health.
Denial of Food and Medicine: The impact of the U. S. embargo on health and nutrition in Cuba. NY, 1997.
web Burns, Nicholas, U. S. Department of State. The U. S. Embargo and Health Care in Cuba, 1997.
web Castaneda, Merely. Washington Guides European Votes Against Cuba. Granma International Digital, Cuba, 2 May 2000 Vasquez, Ian. , and Rodriquez, Jacob. Trade Embargo In and Castro Out. 1996, web U.
S. State Department. Cuba: U. S. -Cuban Relations. 1999, web Garfield, Richard. , Santana, Sarah.
The Impact of the Economic Crisis and the US Embargo on Health in Cuba American Journal of Public Health. web
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Research essay sample on Health Care System U S Embargo
