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Cuba (1) -- News -- 2010
Cuba wants medical tourists
13.06.2010
Last year, the Dominican Republic and Cuba, which do not have diplomatic relations,
agreed to allow weekly charter flights between the two countries, and since then at least 150
Dominicans have flown to Cuba for medical treatment, according to travel agents.
Cuba, which prides itself on its accomplishments in medicine, has made a business of inviting foreigners to its hospitals and clinics.
It distributes a colour brochure titled, "Cuba, Health Tourism", and a price list covering services from physical examinations to open heart surgery.
It offers a basic package of seven nights and eight days in a hotel or a clinic, or longer stays depending on the seriousness of the problem.
As well as in a network of clinics, foreigners are treated in special private rooms in state run hospitals.
Medical tourists visiting the island report seeing Spanish, Italian, Chinese and even a few American patients.
Cuba attracts patients from throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, where advanced equipment and techniques are lacking and where there are often shortages
of medicine and personnel. Cuban officials say more patients are now coming from the Dominican Republic than elsewhere in the Caribbean because of the direct
flights and because the two countries share Spanish as their common language. Payment must be made in dollars,
which Cuba needs to buy essential goods from Western countries.
Cuba (1) -- Analyses -- 2010
More about the health tourism in Cuba
13.06.2010
Cuba has been a popular medical tourism destination for more than 40 years.
Thousands of patients travel to Cuba, particularly from Latin America and Europe, attracted by the "fine reputation of Cuban doctors,
the low prices and nearby beaches on which to recuperate."
In 2006, Cuba attracted nearly 20 000 health tourists.
Medical treatments included joint replacement, cancer treatment, eye surgery,
cosmetic surgery and addictions rehabilitation. Costs are about 60 to 80 percent less than US costs.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Cuba is one of the leading nations in employment of thermal waters for health rehabilitation.
Cuba's spas are among the favorites of vacationers from many countries, including America, Canada, Spain and Italy, who come to the Island for recovery.
Nowadays, among the main receptors are San Diego de los Banos, in Pinar del Rio; Elguea, in Villa Clara; and San Jose del Lago, in Sancti Spiritus.
In all of these locations, the medical and paramedical staff are highly trained and professional.
The treatments offered and results obtained are backed by the Cuban Ministry of Public Health.
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