Raghu writes: >> We started talking about health-care statistics because of the >> unsubstantiated reference by David Shemano to deficiencies in Cuba's >> health care system.
I didn't think what I said was even controversial. Cuba has lost of shortages. If you don't want to blame it on the inherent problems of socialism, blame it on the embargo. Any way, Googled "Cuba antibiotics shortage" and here are a couple of results: http://www.pugwash.org/reports/ees/ees8e.htm ("Although import substitution tactics have saved millions of dollars, Cuba nonetheless has to implement a VEN (Vital, Essential and Non-essential) system of drug classification and struggles to satisfy the population's need. In addition, such basic drugs as Ibuprofen, Vitamin E and Erythromycin are not available in the country.") http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2294/context/archive ("Although all Cubans receive free medical care, the U.S. embargo has created an acute drug shortage on the small Caribbean island. Not only are U.S. pharmaceutical companies prohibited from selling medications to Cuba, drug companies in other countries are likewise banned from selling any medications that contain even a small percentage of ingredients manufactured by U.S. pharmaceuticals. As a result, Cuban pharmacies are stocked with domestic herbal remedies, but antibiotics and aspirins are hard to come by."). http://www.worldviewmagazine.com/issues/article.cfm?id=52&issue=14 ("In a clean but care-worn waiting area of a general hospital, a patient praised the local doctors. They really want to help us. Even when a doctor told him he had no antibiotics to treat the pain of his sons toothache, neighbors collected enough pills for the treatment. The father smiled and said, At least such problems keep us strong as a community, because we have to work together."). http://ctp.iccas.miami.edu/FOCUS_Web/Issue59.htm ("Antibiotics are rare in Cuba and are not available in the state-run pharmacies; they can only be purchased on the black market. Pharmacies are not stocked with even some of the most basic supplies, such as aspirin, forcing Cubans into the government dollar stores where they are available at prices in US currency, well out of the reach of many Cubans with no access to dollars."). http://www.svt.ntnu.no/psy/bjarne.fjeldsenden/Articles/CUBA23032003.htm ("Cuba has also a good education system free of charge and free hospitalisation. There is though a shortage of antibiotics and pain killing drugs, and medicine prescribed to outpatients is not free."). http://www.nurseweek.com/news/features/01-06/cuba.html ("Antibiotics and even Band-Aids are in short supply. "We dont even have enough disposable syringes, so we have to sterilize them and reserve them for HIV patients and for those with hepatitis B and C."). David Shemano
