The Threat of Good Example: Socialist Cuba Exports Health Care, Gains Important Recognition
Weekend Edition July 25-27, 2014
The Threat of Good Example
Socialist Cuba Exports Health Care, Gains Important Recognition
by W.T. WHITNEY, Jr.
In Cuba recently press conferences and new reports celebrated the ten-year anniversary of Operation Miracle, known also as Mision Miracle, which occurred on July 8. This internationalized project aimed at restoring vision on a massive scale took shape within the context of ALBA, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America.
Cuba and Venezuela launched ALBA in late 2004. Latin American and Caribbean nations belonging to ALBA engage in mutually beneficial trade-offs of educational and medical services, scientific projects, even commodities. They are referred to as solidarity exchanges. ALBA exemplifies Cuba and Venezuelas central role in promoting regional integration.
Under Operation Miracle, Cubans and Venezuelans benefit from surgical eye care, as do tens of thousands of foreign nationals whove traveled to Cuba for treatment. Cuban ophthalmologists serving in Venezuela took the lead in establishing 26 eye care centers throughout that national territory. Staff consisting of eye surgeons, nurses, technicians, and other physicians have served Venezuelans and also vision- impaired people from 17 Latin American countries plus Italy, Portugal, and Puerto Rico. More recently organizers established centers in 14 Latin American and Caribbean nations. Ten years after its start the project operates in 31 countries, some in Africa and Asia.
Those receiving diagnosis and treatment through Operation Miracle had gone without eye care because of poverty and/or geographic inaccessibility. The most common cause of reduced vision the teams deal with is cataract. They provide treatment also for glaucoma, strabismus, retina problems, and abnormal ocular growths. Corrective lenses are provided. Services are available for patients at no personal cost, as are transportation and accommodations.
Operation Miracle reportedly has improved or restored vision for 3.4 million individuals. That measure of the projects reach takes on additional meaning through World Health Organization data showing that 39 million people in the world are blind. These figures are within reach of one another, especially because most visual impairment 80 percent is preventable or curable.
More:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/07/25/socialist-cuba-exports-health-care-gains-important-recognition/
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)When I encountered relatively brief but quite serious health issues and had NO means of medical attention other than my own knowledge as herbalist and bush doctor, I used to wish I could swim or sail to Cuba FOR MEDICAL CARE DENIED ME IN MY OWN COUNTRY!!!!!!!