The training of professionals and their high specialization in Cuba guarantee the universal coverage of medical services and the development of Primary Health Care. This strength places the country among the nations with the highest ratio of doctors per inhabitant -one for every 127-, with health indicators that in many cases are similar to those of developed countries.
With more than two centuries of experience in academic training, Cuba's Universities of Medical Sciences offer those interested the opportunity to study in the largest of the Antilles.
Managed by the Comercializadora de Servicios Médicos Cubanos, S.A. (CSMC, S.A.), they are aimed at students from any corner of the planet, individually or in groups, and include undergraduate y graduate studies through intergovernmental, ministerial, insurance, private entities or through personal financing. They also offer the possibility of accessing courses, diplomas, training or other forms of professional development.
These services are offered in thirteen Universities of Medical Sciences, belonging to the Cuban National Health System, distributed throughout the national territory, whose teaching scenarios are certified according to the National Accreditation System, and have a staff endorsed to provide teaching programs, unique for the whole country and for all those who study throughout the national geography.
Academic training in health sciences is characterized by the integration of theory and practice in educational assistance centers in contact with the community, where disease prevention, healing and rehabilitation are systemically reinforced from a biopsychosocial approach. According to Andrés Patino, a student at the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), what distinguishes academic training in Cuba is empathy, continuous contact and physical examination of the patient, elements that, in other countries, are not taken into account since the incorporation of technological advances in medicine.
Dr. Juana María Larrea, Head of Academic Studies at CSMC, S.A.and founder of the institution, said that the undergraduate programs include Medicine, Stomatology, Nursing, Clinical Bioanalysis, Health Information Systems, Speech Therapy, Hygiene and Epidemiology, Health Rehabilitation, Medical Imaging and Radiophysics, Optometry and Optics, as well as Nutrition.
The executive also stated that the postgraduate program includes the training of more than 40 medical specialties, among the most demanded: Dermatology, Imaging, Aesthetic Surgery and Caumatology, which are offered to the graduates of homonymous careers, as well as more than 30 master's degrees, doctoral programs in health sciences and professional development activities such as: courses, training, diploma courses, etc. The main sending countries are: Colombia, Mexico and Ecuador.
Other modalities, on call, are the specialized visits and internships that allow to obtain a complete vision of the functioning of our National Health System, or to develop specific subjects of the career, delivering the plan that must be covered and attending to the existing forms of student mobility in today's world. Other specific requests that respond to particular training needs are also evaluated, among these: the realization of pre-professional internship activities.
The services include accommodation, meals and the delivery of degrees certified by the Universities of Medical Sciences. In addition, they are complemented by important attributes of the country such as social security, climate, the beauty of nature and the warmth of its people.
If the student's native language is not Spanish, he/she can apply to take a language preparatory course or demonstrate proficiency in Spanish by means of an oral and written proficiency exam.
Foreign students graduated in Cuba, trained in values of humanism and solidarity, contribute to medical attention in their countries; they face natural disasters and international health emergencies. This was confirmed by Panamanian student Josué Nelson, who considers that studying on the island means cultural and personal growth, but above all a great contribution for his people because it will allow him to take, mainly to the most vulnerable areas, all the knowledge and human sensitivity learned and acquired in this beautiful nation, which constitutes a significant contribution to universal health.
Taken from Destino Salud.