The policy of the Cuban State promotes foreign investment as an option for increasing the economy of the different export sectors. Consequently, the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) encourages the growth of health tourism as a source of income that contributes to the development and sustainability of the sector.

For this purpose, the modernization of infrastructure and the introduction of new technologies are required. Together with the achievements of Cuban medicine, based on rigorous, advanced, and innovative health protocols, these elements constitute opportunities for foreign investment in health tourism.

The Cuban Medical Services Marketing Company, S.A. (CSMC, S.A.) has among its functions the reception, evaluation, and processing of business interests involving foreign investment, in compliance with the legal regulations and the guidelines established by the governing bodies: the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, and the Ministry of Finance and Prices.

What are currently the main foreign investment opportunity proposals offered by CSMC, S.A.?

Within the Cuban public health sector, there is a large number of healthcare institutions that provide excellent care, with highly qualified professionals and exceptional human conditions that distinguish them from the rest of the world. These centers, through investment processes incorporating new and advanced technologies, represent potential and attractive business opportunities in health tourism.

CSMC, S.A. has the following main foreign investment business proposals:

• International Beauty, Wellness Clinics and International Dentistry Clinics
A new specialty with a growing market.
Complements the services provided by the National Health System.
Increases health tourism and professional services.
Specialized teaching center in Aesthetic and Wellness Medicine.
National and international benchmark in this specialty.
Enhances the visibility of Cuban medicine abroad.
Generates income for the health sector and the created enterprise.
Diversifies exports.
Incorporates new technologies and promotes human resource development.
Introduces new management methods.
Provides new technologies for these services aimed at both the Cuban market and exports.

• Wellness and Health Centers in Mineral-Medicinal Water Resorts in San Diego, Pinar del Río Province, and Menéndez, Matanzas Province

These centers provide the benefits of mainly natural therapeutic agents, including mineral-medicinal waters, their gases, vapors, peloids, climate therapy, physiotherapy, alternative therapies, and other leisure services.

They represent significant potential for the development of health tourism, wellness, quality of life, and beauty services, while promoting healthy lifestyles that improve health conditions.

Their waters contribute to the treatment of various conditions, such as:

Dermatological disorders
Digestive disorders
Endocrine-metabolic disorders
Dental conditions
Gynecological disorders
Rheumatic diseases
Arthritis
Obesity
Stress
Neurological trauma
Beauty treatments

• International Wellness and Quality of Life Centers
Villa El Cocal, in Holguín.
Villa Colibrí, in Santiago de Cuba.
Villa El Yarey, in Granma.

These institutions require financing from foreign sources for the renovation of their facilities, in order to provide higher-quality wellness and quality-of-life programs according to internationally established standards.

Their commercialization would increase income from the export of health tourism services for the country and position Cuba internationally as a destination for the health tourism market in the Caribbean region.

The remodeling and renewal of health tourism facilities would generate a socioeconomic impact that, together with the development of centers offering new scenarios for health and wellness tourism, would diversify the tourism offer, promoting foreign currency revenue and ensuring job creation.

All of this represents a significant potential for the provision of international health services.

By: Dr. Carmen Borrego Calzadilla and Lic. Beatriz Areña Fraga
Photos: CSMC, S.A. and Jorge Luis Baños