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Vol. 82/No. 1 January 1, 2018
‘I urge you, go see for yourself the truth of
Cuba’s revolution’
Samir Rohlin Hazboun, who was a participant in “In the Footsteps of
Che” International Brigade to Cuba Oct. 1-15, writes here what he
learned about the Cuban Revolution and its example. Hazboun works on the
education team at the Highlander Research and Education Center in New
Market, Tennessee.
BY SAMIR ROHLIN HAZBOUN
I wanted to write a reflection of my experience in Cuba and observations
about the health care system. I hope it is of some use in encouraging
people to go and see the truth of the Cuban Revolution for themselves!
“Cuba is able to provide free health care to all its citizens!” This is
often one of the first points a supporter of the Cuban Revolution will
mention in a conversation about Cuba in the United States. The need for
a comprehensive universal health care system is one that resonates with
almost anyone here as the brutal attacks by the ruling class continue to
rain down on workers’ right to medical treatment. Most folks are one
hospital bill away from losing what little they have left and don’t need
to be told twice how terrible the state of health care is. I distinctly
remember when my friend suffered a sports concussion and while sprawled
out on the field in pain, snapped into alertness to shout, “Do not call
an ambulance! I am broke!” before collapsing back onto the ground.
However, while Cuba’s ability to provide universal health care as a
socially guaranteed service is certainly remarkable, what is often
overlooked is how the Cuban Revolution has also brought about a powerful
cultural transformation within the health system. In Cuba, because
profit is no longer the basis around which all decisions are made,
health care workers can make decisions based on human need.
To make clear the distinction, let’s use the example of someone
developing a mild flu bug. In the U.S. even if you had the best health
insurance possible and the cost of a doctor’s visit wasn’t a factor at
all, you would still likely have a doctor whose mindset would be to
provide you with a medical solution that allows you to return to work as
quickly as possible. This is because under capitalism the entire social
system is geared around productivity for profit’s sake. You would likely
be prescribed an antibiotic, a steroid shot, and whatever else would
alleviate the symptoms as quickly as possible so you could return to
wage labor. None of the long-term consequences of taking antibiotics for
such a mild affliction or jump-starting my immune system into overdrive
with a steroid shot would be considered.
In Cuba the doctors can prescribe something that in the U.S. is almost
inconceivable … to simply take time off to rest and let the body fight
off the sickness through its own means! This is only possible when you
have a society that is so organized and focused on doing what is best
for people that one need have no fear of being punished for taking care
of your health. Compare this to the demands of bosses here that workers
in hurricane-ravaged areas show up to work or risk losing their jobs!
I was able to witness the impressive health care achievements of the
Cuban Revolution firsthand when I traveled to Cuba for the Che Brigade
in October of 2017. On one of the first days one member of the U.S.
delegation developed severe back spasms, a chronic condition for him. We
encouraged him to go to the doctor, but he explained that it’s always
the same thing when he goes in. A prescription for pain pills and to
“take it easy.” It’s no coincidence that pharmaceutical company profits
are sky-high and that there’s an opioid epidemic in this country.
He ended up going to the Cuban doctor and he came back later that day
with a huge smile on his face as he raved about how he had received an
acupuncture treatment and electroshock therapy right on the spot and
that his back already felt better. Not only that, but the doctor came
and knocked on our door the next day to make sure he was feeling better
and to invite him to come back for another treatment!
Finally, I must thank the members of the Socialist Workers Party who
attended the Che Brigade as it was through their constant willingness to
have conversations, impressive commitment to making books available and
infectious enthusiasm for the Cuban Revolution that I was able to
understand how it is the fact that the Cubans had a true workers
revolution that laid the foundation that makes possible in Cuba powerful
achievements like quality health care!
Related articles:
‘Our system is based on solidarity,’ Cuban revolutionary tells unionists
Fidel Castro: Our principles are key to Cuban Revolution
Excerpt from book by Cuban leader Armando Hart underscores moral
strength of July 26 Movement
Che: Fidel spoke for all of us
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