Thread: Vale Fidel Castro

I am no fan of Castro, but Cubans are happier and have a better health care system than the US.

Interesting interview with Castro in Playboy magazine in the 70's where he stated that "the CIA was going to overthrow the Australian Govt. (Gough Whitlam) and replace it with a more US friendly government", he was spot on there, Regardfs Frank.

Don't believe the hype (or tourist brochures or dodgy documentaries). You get a more circumspect opinion of Cuba after you have been there off the beaten track. Medicine is world class only at a few hospitals catering for either rich Cubanos or tourists who can afford it. I went to two rural and one city hospital and the differences couldn't have been more stark.

The two rural hospitals I had to go to in different parts of the country were both literally falling apart and I thought they were abandoned buildings at first glance. They were all low on medical supplies as the supply ship was 3 months late. Try finding a fracture on an X-Ray by holding it up to one of the few working fluoro lights in the hallway. Not easy. Utmost respect for those people!

The main hospital in Havana in contrast was like any other western hospital -BUT - there were no locals here unless they had money......

Don't get me wrong, I loved the place as it is chock full of contrasts. Even the undercurrent of ferment simmering beneath the surface when you talk to the locals late at night sharing some rum and they let their guard down. On the whole though they seem to be doing alright. The socialist paradise might not be all it's cracked up to be, but they have at least tried to make it work. Let's wait and see what happens after Raul and the last of the old guard dies out. I hope what makes Cuba, Cuba doesn't get lost in the transition. Interesting times are ahead!

Vale Adolf Hitler.

Am I doing this right?

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

Vale Adolf Hitler.

Am I doing this right?

obviously not....

Originally Posted by cripesamighty

... there were no locals here unless they had money......

...

And how is that different to the US???

This is a bill from a US hospital for treating a rattlesnake bite.



http://2d1cnu2tkvpj33fq4z2gio0y.wpen...a-768x1024.jpg

If you don't pay the snake bites again ? And they outcry on the introduction of a Medicare system seemed to think this type of thing was fare or ideal .

Not much different at all and that's the point. People criticise the outrageously expensive US medical system by comparing it to the supposedly free Cuban system, but it is not a good comparison. The oft made claim that ALL the medical services in Cuba are at a first world standard AND free for everyone to utilise just doesn't stack up. That's not what goes on at all as it is "user pays" in both countries for quality health care, so I absolutely, wholeheartedly agree with you!

BTW, that bill is a doozy! Beyond staggering really. Reminds me of a friend of mine who lived in LA and Sacramento for 13 years who got bowled over by a car at some traffic lights. His medical bill for an overnight stay was eyewatering. It's almost like they just pick a number for ****s and giggles and go with that. Amongst the gems on his bill was $600 for a bag of saline worth less than $1.....