Cuba in the Crosshairs

Cuban Public Healthcare: A Model of Success for Developing Nations

“…The shortage of medicines due to the bloqueo has resulted at points in increases in the incidence of tuberculosis in Cuba and occasional spikes in diarrheal diseases due to the shortage of chlorination chemicals for potable water supplies. According to Amnesty International, “the export of medicines and medical equipment [from the United States to Cuba] continues to be severely limited and has a detrimental impact on … health” (Bustamante, 2017, p. 215; Drain & Barry, 2010, pp. 572–573; Gorry & Keck, 2015, p. 412; Latin American Economy & Business , 2017, pp.…”

“…Nevertheless, Cuba continues even now to import most of its food needs. The response by Castro to the food crisis during the special period demonstrated at least one benefit of an authoritarian system: the government could act immediately and in a cohesive manner without having to line up political support or make compromises with quarreling political interests (Bustamante, 2017, p. 215; De Vos et al, 2012, p. 475; Huish, 2013, p. 40; Kirk, 2009, p. 277; Sixto, 2002, p. 333; Whiteford & Branch, 2008, p. 86; Wright, 2012, pp. 130, 135, 138–139).…”

“…While the GDP had grown at around 3 percent a year from 2011 and 2015, the key period of generous Venezuelan support buoyed by soaring oil prices, in 2016, the Cuban economy actually contracted by 1 percent. The forecast for the next several years is not encouraging (Bustamante, 2017, pp. 8–10; Mesa-Lago, 2009, pp.…”