Best things in life are free: studying medicine in Cuba

[Starry Messenger]

http://peoplesworld.org/best-things-in-life-are-free-studying-medicine-in-cuba/

Who would have ever believed that one of the best medical programs in the world is free, in a third world country and primarily filled with people of color?

I, future doctor Chasiti I. Falls, am a rising fifth year medical student in Havana, Cuba. Under full scholarship to a six-year medical degree program, my room and board, my books and study material are all free. Even my simple mandatory uniform is free. I have to say the cherry on this sundae is that health care in Cuba is universal and free.

ELAM (Escuela Latino Americana de Medicina) or Latin American School of Medicine in 2009 accepted students from Asian, Mediterranean and more than 50 African counties that sent representatives to be trained in Cuba as physicians for them to return to their countries to provide services in the most medically neglected and impoverished regions.


During a Congressional Black Caucus delegation visit to Cuba in June 2000, Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi remarked to the former President Fidel Castro that there are large areas in his district that do not have a single physician. President Castro responded with an offer of full scholarships for young adults from Mississippi to study medicine in Cuba.

In time, the unbelievable offer was extended to young adults from the working-class and underserved areas throughout the U.S., who cannot afford to pay the $200,000 it cost to study medicine in the United States.

<snip>

I am a mother, daughter, aunty and Fort Wayne native who decided to pack up everything and go to a third world country to fulfill a dream. I always had aspiration of being a doctor and, like for so many others, the dream seemed far away. Until one day, an unidentified man approached me and said, "You look like I should tell you this: There is a school in Cuba that is training people of color to be doctors for free. Call this New York phone number if you are interested."

<snip>

[EvoQ]

1. Cuba and Unspoiled Environment

What an Awesome Post. I might add that Cuba is both an Environmental Nightmare and also an Environmental Paradise. Yes Cuba has both, ofcourse one would expect Environmental abuses in these Poor countries but with Cuba vast tracts of unspoiled Caribbean land has been left to the animals. With the Poor Economy the Cuban gov has not had enough funding to start any serious Development on these unspoiled areas. There is a very awesome Documentary about Cuba and this unspoiled Tropical Paradise entitle "The Accidental Revolution" Watch it and Enjoy, sorry for any off topic-ness.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Welcome to DU, EvoQ!

And thanks for the recommendation! It's great to have you with us...

[hrmjustin]

3. Welcome to DU my friend!

[Mika]

9. Are you aware that Cuba is the only nation to achieved the WWF sustainability goals.

Lots here ...

http://www.google.com/#newwindow=1&safe=off&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=wwf+cuba+sustainable+development&oq=WWF+Cuba+sustainability&gs_l=hp.1.1.0i22i30l2.1871.8054.0.10772.23.15.0.7.7.0.168.1635.9j6.15.0...0.0...1c.1.16.psy-ab.SgTWdr9KYvM&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.47534661,d.dmQ&fp=c8c164e6f16dfcdc&biw=1132&bih=915

[Judi Lynn]

4. Thank you for this outstanding revelation from Chasiti Falls, Ft. Wayne.

It's a heart-stopper learning that only 6% of the U.S. medical students are currently of African-American descent, isn't it? The economics put an education like this far beyond the reach of most U.S. American students, regardless of their skills. Sad.

I've read accounts from US students who've gone to Havana since I first heard about their program around 2000, and started combing newspapers regularly. Have run across statements from young adults in ghetto areas, indigenous American students, and children of Mexican agricultural seasonal workers who have been educated in a series of many different schools as their parents followed the harvests around the country.

The only stipulation made of these students has been to return to their neighborhoods and practice medicine for an agreed upon time among the people who simply cannot afford medical treatment on their own incomes, just the same as asked of Cuban medical graduates after they complete their medical years and graduate, themselves. Certainly seems a very fair deal, in every respect, and U.S. students are more than thrilled for the opportunity.

It is wonderful to see this great first person account and reminder of a better way of educating good students! Thank you, Starry Messenger.

[Starry Messenger]

5. It's amazing what can be achieved when people are valued over profits.

We have the money to do things like this in our country, but not the political will. A heart-stopper is a great way to put it Judy Lynn. I hope more African-American students here in the US hear of this program. Even college itself is so out of reach for working people in this country, it is inspiring to read what can be done when education is valued.

[Catherina]

6. +1,000,000 n/t

[ocpagu]

7. Very interesting information.

Cuba has amazing educational and health-care practices. Thanks for sharing.

[Daniel537]

8. Great story, and shame on our govt. for not providing everyone with universal health care.

Its appalling that in the 21st century, the richest nation on Earth allows people without health insurance to die or live a miserable life.