For more than 40 years, Cuba, the largest island of the West Indies group, has been a popular medical tourism destination for thousands of patients traveling particularly from Latin America and Europe. Among the main reasons cited for the popularity of medical tourism Cuba were the remarkable reputation of Cuban medical practitioners, affordable prices and the beautiful beach resorts where patients can recuperate.
Statistics revealed that in 2006, Cuba attracted nearly 20,000 health tourists. Cuba offers a wide range of affordable medical treatments which include joint replacement, cancer treatment, eye surgery, cosmetic surgery, neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, orthopedics, addictions rehabilitation. Such treatments are cheaper in Cuba by about 60 to 80 percent than in the United States.
Cuba's unique treatment for retinitis pigmentosa which is more commonly known as night blindness has particularly caught the attention of many foreign medical tourists from North American and Europe.
Cuba's fine reputation in medical tourism can also be seen in the 2007 documentary film Sicko produced by American filmmaker Michael Moore. The film tried to look into the health care system in the US particularly its health insurance and pharmaceutical industry. At one point in the film, a group of uninsured American patients were sent to Cuba to obtain cheaper medical treatment. The documentary "Sicko" has sparked foreigners' interest in Cuban healthcare.
Needless to say, medical tourism in Cuba is a growing source of income in the mountainous island with a number of specialist hospitals, health spas even beach resorts that attract medical tourists from all parts of the world. Reports say medical tourism in Cuba generates revenues of more than $40 million a year.
This success in healthcare is nothing new to Cuba. History reveals that Cuba has made significant contributions to world health since the 19th century. It also boasts of a high number of reputable medical personnel.
Why is it easy to travel to Cuba for medical treatment? To go to Cuba, residents of Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries just need a tourist visa. The case with US residents is different due to the US trade policy towards Cuba. Americans traveling to Cuba can obtain US government approval. Or they can travel to Cuba from the Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Canada or Mexico.
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