CubanTruth - Healthcare - Pharmacy - Part I

[aardvark1956]

PS: He asked for Tylenol.

[abuaroberts]

one word-- E M B A R G O

[fsjonsey]

Medical supplies have ALWAYS been exempted from the embargo.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

Another thing I'd like to know: why was Michael Moore not prosecuted for violating the trade embargo? All the evidence the FBI needs is right there in the video!

The answers: we don't prosecute traitors who are also celebrities anymore (the Jane Fonda Rule, as it were), plus the individuals were 9/11 responders. We all feel bad for the responders, but what about the responders who ARE receiving advanced care that would only be possible by capitalist-inspired motivation to discover?

[MyNameIsMissyS]

If Cuba is such a great place for the poor to receive medical treatment, why is that Dr's in Cuba make about $12 a day and are often shipped out to other parts of Latin America....in all instances without their spouses. Fidel wants the spouses at home so there's no incentive to defect.

Inquiring minds want to know!

[caemgen51]

Everyone in Cuba makes about $12 a day. You seem to be a novice when it comes to Cuba, why do you worry about a place you know nothing about?

"....in all instances without their spouses." Please site your source for that statement.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

Well, Caemgen, apart from my concern for my fellow man (the whole Human Rights thing), Cuba is 90 miles from the US border.

I think I read about Cuban Drs in the Economist recently. I can look up the source if you like, but since I have a real job that pays the taxes you libs fantasize about, it will take a while.

Caemgen, if Cuba is the banging place you make it out to be, may I ask why you are not there now?

[tommytowne]

But what aboutb france? They don't have us sanctions.

[qbanaz0]

[cont] UN gives out rates that the dictatorship sends them; Thirdly, name any brakethrough they have came up (there are very few if any). Stop the propaganda. Finally, if they are so great, why then are over 2,000,000 exiled (out of 10.x million in the island). That is almost 20%. Enormous figure of exiled Cubans when there is such a great system in their homeland, dont you think?. Not to mention the huge paycheck that the CIA must be handling out.

[caemgen51]

They've had quite a few new vacines for tropical diseases, cancer and parkinsons. Now that the U.S. isn't funding stem-cell research you'll see most of the new mdicine coming from countries like Cuba. If we gave instint citizenship to other countries like we do Cuba you will see more or less the same thing.

[qbanaz0]

For your statistics information, only 4% of "cures" to diseases come from government founded research. The other 96% come from private industry founded researches. Get your facts straights. Again, you are repeating that Castro is saying. Name-the-cures-Cuba-have-came-­up-with (if you can). Only free minds can create. It is a very basic principle, why can't you understand that?

[MyNameIsMissyS]

Nice. So the new vaccines will be coming from Cuba because of stem cell research, huh?

OK, in ten years, when there are NO vaccines coming from Cuba and when those that are coming from there are nowhere near FDA standards, will you then use the oft-repeated refrain used by those who lament the downfall of the Soviet Union...that they could have done it if ooooooooonly they had more time and money?

[navalperson1]

The sad truth is that the Cuban government continues to try to implement a failed system, regardless of the suffering and agony it's causing to the people. The sicko is Fidel Castro.

[caemgen51]

Do me a favor. Go get kidney dialisis in Cuba for 6 months and then go get it done in the U.S. and show me the costs of each. Or go to Mexico and get two or three root canals and then go to Cuba and show me both bills.

[cubantruthcom]

How much would you pay for FREEDOM. How much would you pay for your ability to think without fear of being arrested, tortured and possible killed just because you think differently and act with dignity. I think I would rather pay a bit more for my Kidney dialisis; that is besides the fact that ordinary citizens in the island do not have the luxury of getting such treatment. Only paying customers (Clinic-Tourists) do.

[caemgen51]

Sorry to break your bubble but that money doesn't go to "freedom," it goes into the pockets of the pharmaceutical companies. If you have money in the U.S. you'll be fine and you don't have to think about all the poor that aren't getting care. You were worried about being jailed and tortured in Cuba? What were you doing, selling weed?

[qbanaz0]

No I was not selling weed. The Revolution Generals sell weed, cocaine and more. I was imprisoned for speaking out my mind peacefully. I wanted Democracy. Simple, huh?.

I now live in the US, I am not rich, and because I work hard, I manage to get an health insurance policy. You know absolutely nothing about Cuba.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

Hey, Cubantruth and Gbanaz, good for you guys for telling the truth. G-d Bless you for telling it like it is.

Caemgen and others who have never been to Cuba, or any other socialist country have no clue as to what socialism really is. They just swallow whatever their college professors and the media and certain idiot celebrities have to say.

Bear this in mind: the communists couldn't beat us militarily, so now they must do it with propaganda.

[caemgen51]

Jeez, what rock did you slither out from? For your information woman, I lived in Cuba for five years, so I believe know a bit more than you about what's going on down there. Do yourself a favor and try not to watch to much tv, as the American propaganda is just as bad, if not worse, than the propaganda out of Cuba.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

1. It's nice that you can't reason, so you must dole out the insults....great example of the minds modern Bolshies have!

2. If you are an authority on Cuban hospitals, pray tell, what is the difference between what is featured here and the reality? Inquiring minds want to know!

3. For your information, I do not watch tv. It bores me. Please give me an example of what you believe to be American propaganda. Apart from Michael Moore and Air America.

[caemgen51]

It's interesting that you can read an "insult" but were unable to read in my previous post that I had been to Cuba. Let's just say I'm more of an authority on Cuban hospitals than you. The video shows a public clinic not having a certain prescription or drug in stock. Is this the breaking news for everyone to start foaming at the mouth about hoe evil Cuba is? It a third world country, do you realize that yet?

[caemgen51]

[cont] There are shortages in many poor countries in Latin America. I saw shotages of certain medicines in Cuba, but I also saw alot of medicine get to most people free of charge. Also tramatic injuries (broken bones, lacerations) were cared for better than I've seen them in this country.

[caemgen51]

I've never heard Michael Moore or Air America say much about Cuba that made me take interest. Cuba is a "red herring," so why would they bother? If saying that Cuba or Canada have good health care is shocking to you, then you need to get out more. All Cuba does is obsess about it's health care system, so it's going to be good.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

All Cuba does is obsess about its health care system. Just like Hillary does here.

In case it escaped your attention, Michael Moore does nothing but boast about the Cuban system in Sicko.

Say I need to get out more if you must to feel good about yourself, but I know enough Cuban Americans who are horrified at how their once beautiful country has been bastardized by Castro. I'll take their word over yours, especially since it seems you're not too swift on the facts.

[caemgen51]

There is so much misinformation about Cuba that both sides (pro and con) haven't much of a clue about the place. So I lump you all, the "left" and the "right" into the same category of ignorance about the place. The statements from the "pro-Fidelista" types make me laugh just as hard as those from people like you and the "let's bomb Cuba" types.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

Uh, I never said "let's bomb Cuba". 'k?

If you feel there is so much disinformation about Cuba, where's your videos on Cuba?

[qbanaz0]

caemgen, you are doing a fenomenal job in spreading the propaganda your bosses in Cuba are paying you for... However, we, REAL CUBANS do not wish for bombing of Cuba, we just wish for the DICTATORSHIP to end, for a 50 year long lie to end, to reach justice for the thousands of murdered by the regime and hundreds of thousands of political prisoniers throught these years. Justice for all the violations of Human Rights in these 50 years. That what WE REAL CUBANS WANT.

[caemgen51]

If you're a "real" Cuban then you should know that the United States created Fidel Castro through it's policies. I don't see that the policies of the U.S. are any better these days (they're much worse) so if you want regime change, there's a strong chance of getting another Fidel, or worse. You say you don't want to "bomb" Cuba, but you want regime change. Explain how that could happen.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

LOL. There we have it, folks, the whole Dennis Kucinich argument that the policies of the US are no better than those of someone who suppresses religious freedom, takes away the right to private property, and imprisons dissenters. Last time I checked, Susan Sarandon was not deemed an enemy combatant and sent to Gitmo. You lefties may not like to admit it, but our system is more moral than Cuba's.

[caemgen51]

I don't get the references you're making, but I didn't see the religious persecution you're speaking of. Everywhere you go in Cuba there is religion, you see it, hear it 24/7. Private property on the otherhand doesn't really exist. That's why you see poor Cubans living in oceanfront houses and apartments that normally only wealthy foreigners could afford.

[qbanaz0]

The best prop., best beach-front ones and others in good neightborhoods were hept by the generals and their thugs, STOLEN from their original rightful owners. Priv. prop. does exist because it all belongs to the government (Castro & clan). They have the right (and do it) to take you out of your current place and send you to live wherever they wish ("the revolution needs it"). Religion and creeds have always been persecuted but now not as much as priorly to Pope John Paul II's visit.

[caemgen51]

The "inner circle" of the Cuban government seem to reside in places where I wouldn't want to be, such as Siboney. I think Vedado, Playa and parts of Central Havana are better and more convenient. My point was that whenever a foriegner looks at the Malecon, they can't believe it's filled with the poorest Cubans. I'd say the government eased up on different religions in the early eighties.

[caemgen51]

Make that "late" eighties.

[qbanaz0]

Really? about before? would those put to jail, beat, humiliated because they professed a creed deserve justice? I say YES.

You are clearly an individual who has far left inclination and idolates these regimes to the point of ignoring reality, regardless of how unfair and victims it has caused or you are part of the paid-by-castro-crew for spilling lies all over. Either way, I am sorry for you. It must feel very badly to have nothing as a brain.

[caemgen51]

Never heard mention of it in Cuba, only from folks like you in the states. The only ones who say this is the small minority wou have a platform in Miami.

[qbanaz0]

and I am being polite. Trust me, it very hard to keep calmed when dealing with individuals who are so "un-attached" from the real Cuban life yet profess to know and lie about it.

[caemgen51]

Sorry, I can't respect someone who says Fidel is the same as Hitler, or was it Hilary Clinton? Anyway, the new arrivals of Cuban exiles don't share your views, so how are you going to keep this going?

[qbanaz0]

You continue on spreading lies. The "inner circle" lives anywhere they want, such as the Miramar mansions or other "great" neightborhoods of Habana, with exception of Castro who has many houses. Cubans that go to malecon are regular Cubans and Jineteras [remember Castro claims to have ended prostitution]. Malecon is so popular because it is one of the fewest places where you can go and actually see no destruction (if you look at the sea, that is) great to ease the pressure.

[caemgen51]

I think you're just a depressed person. Miramar is great? It sucks there. It's far away from almost anything. There aren't any good agromarcados, and the busses suck. You didn't say anything to denie that most Cubans that live on the oceanfront Malecon are poor. It's difficult to rid a country of prostitution, wouldn't you agree?

[qbanaz0]

What are you talking about? Agro"ME"rcados and busses SUCK anywhere, because they are owned by Castro. Most Cubans are poor, period. The fact that they live across Malecon has nothing to do with their reality. THEY HAVE NO FREEDOM, something that you, apparently cannot care about. All Cubans are poor, except Castro and his thugs. That is the truth.

[caemgen51]

I never said it was a paradise, but I'd rather be poor there than in a great many other Latin American countries.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

Everywhere is religion? Then why do most credible sources on the persecuted Church consider Cuba to be one of the worst places in the world for Christians to live?

I'm sure you think the lack of private property is a grand thing, but I have found that private ownership creates a better society...

....and with that, let the cannons fly!

[caemgen51]

Imagine all this located on a four block radius. A giant Catholic church open to all, down the street from that a 7th Day Adventist meeting hall, around the corner you walk by a house with a life size stature of St. Lazaras in the living room and many old ladies preying to it, on the next block a Jewish synagogue. Also in this area there would drumming and singing from the dozen or so Babalawo and Santero priests of the 4 distint African religions that are strongly established in Cuba.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

I am going on what I have heard from sources about Christian persecution in Cuba. I want to recheck my sources before I list them here, but I'll get those to you soon enough.

Did you go to a Church while you were there? Did you talk to the people there? Do they exercise free religion, or are they concerned about informants from the government?

Don't forget, Caemgen, Hitler tried to portray Nazi Germany as a Christian nation.

[caemgen51]

I personally wouldn't trust certain religious groups who are trying to gain to much influence in Cuba, as well as the U.S. Did I go into a church? Many times. I have spoken with all kinds of people. The only thing I heard that comes close to your remarks is a comment made by a friend about a 7th Day Adventist group that was closed down in 84' for being tied to an anti-Cuban group in the U.S.

[qbanaz0]

Priorly to 1959, Cuba was among the first countries of the world (including USA) in literacy, healthcare and progressist laws. Castro has not solved anything. There was free education for everyone and free healthcare for the poor and not so poor. All that was covered and lied upon. Since 1959 we have more than 100,000 dead directly or indirectly and more than 400,000 political prisoners. All we want is Freedom.

[qbanaz0]

We can have that happen by firstly educating ignorants like you who only repeat and do not think/or rather choose to ignore a reality (conveniently). 2dly, read your history again, USA had nothing to do with Castro priorly to 1959 nor after. USA policies are more like a MORAL support than anything else.

[caemgen51]

So in your view the "ignorants" are those who have been to Cuba and the "non-ignorants" are those who have never been there and get their info through fox news and filtered through rightwing political groups? What you wrote about the U.S. being innocent is behond comprehension, but that's your right to feel that way.

[qbanaz0]

No, in my views, Ignorants are people who cover the truth in order to advance an agenda like the one you are promoting. Furthermore, ignorant, in this case is not the proper adjetive, Malice fits better.

However, we REAL CUBANS would use a better descriptive term which acronim is HP.

Enjoy your time of praising the dictatorship, I guarantee you it is running out, and history will finally be told. And everyone who defended the regime, will either put to justice or ashamed.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

With all due respect, gbanaz, not so fast. Fidel may be about dead, but what about when Raul comes behind? Many say he's worse than Fidel. Plus, he's all BFF's with Chavez and Ahmedidijad.

[qbanaz0]

MissyS, thank you for your support in this cause. Keeping Castro alive means survival for the current block. He keeps everyone glued. After his death, there will be a power vaccum. Several factions will want to take power and there will be an internal conflict. I do know this, most Cubans want off Socialism. The concept of Democracy is not understood, but we do know that the current model does not work.

[qbanaz0]

[cont] What would you have thought if Hitler had been treated as a world hero during WWII or after? We want to get rid of all the Castros and their thugs and anything related to SOCIALISM or COMMUNISM because it simply does not work. Freedom, Freedom, Freedom.

[caemgen51]

This is why your position isn't respected much, cause you sound kinda crazy.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

OK, you've been to Cuba. Hip Hip Hooray for you! Why are you not there now if it is so fantastic?

[cubantruthcom]

Obviously, paying with dollars and being a foreigner will buy you VIP treatment. There is an appartheid in Cuba, remember that.

[caemgen51]

But they provide a whole hell of a lot more than you can get in the U.S. if you're poor. This is more propaganda by pissed off Cuban exiles.

[qbanaz0]

Obviously you are not Cuban nor American and you are only repeating what the left propaganda has shown you. If you are poor in Cuba, you get nothing. If you are poor in USA you get welfare which entitles healthcare. Plus, Cuban exiles are not pissed off, we only demand human rights to be respected and bring back Democracy and justice to Cuba. That is all. This is a great video and shows exactly Cubans live.

[caemgen51]

Sorry, but I have been there. And I have been to quite a few Cuban health clinics. In every case we were cared for with no problems, from stitching up wounds, broken bones, athsma attacks, and various illness. All you do is sign your name and you're treated. Sure, some new drugs aren't available, but many are and it's free.

[caemgen51]

[cont] It's funny that the one latin American country that sends doctor all over the world, has developed many break throughs in medicine, and rivals most developed countries (including U.S.) in health care and mortality rates, is the only country that the U.S. criticizes. The U.S. govt. loves you to do it and you are a pawn.

[qbanaz0]

Again. You are repeating what you have heard. You have not been there, otherwise you would not be saying that. I was born, raised and lived there until not too long ago. Cuba is the only country that sends doctors over-seas FOR A PRICE TAG that those doctors do not see a dime out, and at an expense that Cubans in the island are forced; Secondly, the mortality rates are awfully high, any doctor there would admit to it (remember they force abortions if they think there will be complications),

[qbanaz0]

UN gives out rates that the dictatorship sends them; Thirdly, name any brakethrough they have came up (there are very few if any). Stop the propaganda. Finally, if they are so great, why then are over 2,000,000 exiled (out of 10.x million in the island). That is almost 20%. Enormous figure of exiled Cubans when there is such a great system in their homeland, dont you think?. Not to mention the huge paycheck that the CIA must be handling out.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

To say nothing of the fact that they control the spread of HIV by mandatory testing for all citizens and requiring all HIV positive citizens to go live in prison-like sanitariums until they die. Sure, Cuba has the lowest HIV contamination rate in the Carribbean, but if it's at the cost of human liberty it means nothing.

[caemgen51]

Cubans with HIV are not living in prison camps. Show me something that proves that statement. You are a perfect example of the effects of U.S. propaganda.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

I didn't say prison camps, Sir. I said sanitariums. Yes, the conditions are, from what I hear, prison-like. In truth, living my life, doing my job, and observing those pesky United States laws about travel to Cuba prevent me from going there personally. Please enlighten all of us if we are wrong.

[caemgen51]

This is the reason why you shouldn't rely on secondhand information (certain Cuban exiles and U.S. media). I saw a couple people, who I was told have HIV, living in a neighborhood just like everyone else.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

So you live your life depending on rumors and innuendos about people? And you then criticize me for getting my information from the media and Cuban exiles? Hello?

[caemgen51]

No. I got my information from the people you are living in that environment on a day to day basis and have no reason to lie about anything. And also I have eyes and can see for myself. Your information is first filtered through political group and then presented to you.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

And you are implying that the things you hear out and about in Cuba are not filtered through Castro's propaganda machine?

I know I am getting propaganda from FOX News and talk radio, just like you probably get from Mother Jones. It's all propaganda, but at least we have a choice. Most Cuban emigres I know are intelligent & reasonable people with no grudge (and are not all greedy professionals who escaped for the cash or ex-cons from Mariel..most are religious leaders escaping persecution).

[MyNameIsMissyS]

And since I've got you online now, please tell us why you decided to come to the US if Cuba is such an awesome place!

(the Jeopardy music is in the background while we await your reply)

[caemgen51]

I came back her because I'm from here. I want to live in a climate that has season. Not being Cuban, some of the tropical parasites you can get in the water were hard on me cause I don't have the natural resistants. What do you want me to say, that I was sufferring there, starving? Sorry to disapoint you.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

There's lots of "season" in Europe!

Wait! There are parasites in Cuban water? Call the UN! No, wait, that won't work. The UN and Castro are snugglebuddies.

No, I just want to know why someone who claims to have lived in a paradise like what we'e led to believe Cuba is would even think of coming back to this presumably capitalist Hades called America. Quite honestly, "seasons" doesn't seem like a logical reason when you presumably get free health care that is so great there!

[caemgen51]

There are plenty of foreigners who live in Cuba and like it, as well as Cubans who have lived in Europe or the U.S., made some money, and returned to Cuba to live.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

OF COURSE Castro's boys are going to put on a show for visitors. Just like the great Olympic teams from the Soviet bloc nations who had the best facilities next to broken down factories.

Er, I would think family probably had more to do with the decisions of Cubans who return to Cuba. One thing about Cubans, G-d bless them, they honor family.

I worked with a man who was sentenced to life in a US prison who said that life in a US prison was better than life in Cuba.

[caemgen51]

Well there ya go. You have your mind made up for you. One ridiculus statement after another. For me it's interesting to see the length people in this country will go with this statement. I guess if it gets repeated enough people will start to believe it. Think for yourself for once.

[MyNameIsMissyS]

If my statements are so "ridiculus" (so much for teaching spelling in the great American government schools, huh?), do me a favor and enlighten me as to the errors. You can message me privately if you like.

For the record, I learned how the Soviet bloc training Olympic training facilites were in a left-wing college Poli Sci course taught by a leftist. So much for the idea that badmouthing the old style Commies is a province of the National Review readers and Sean Hannity!

[qbanaz0]

Actually, Caemgen, the only ridiculous statement maker here is you when all you do is repeat the falacies that a brutal dictator commands you to repeat.