Cuba's Achievements in Health Care and Public Education Essay

Cuban history, like many other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean which have experienced colonial subjugation and imperial interference, is highlighted by tumultuous rebellions. Ever since the revolt of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes in 1868, who took up arms with his slaves to liberate Cuba from Spain’s colonial grasp, the existence of insurrectionists and adamant government opposition in Cuba has flourished. Social revolution and a strong will and practice of nationalism has indelibly characterized Cuban history. Nevertheless, the outcomes of particular movements and struggles for social justice have consistently frustrated revolutionary and radical leaders. Government regimes throughout

In addition to a sugar dominated economy, Cuba was besieged by other problems which helped lead it down the path toward revolution. Differences in standards of living between the urban and rural populations were evident throughout the nation. Cubans living in urban areas tended to be better educated, healthier, and had higher standards of living than those living in rural areas. For instance, Pérez-Stable says that illiteracy among rural

economic growth comes from agriculture and exports to and from Europe. Since America has had an embargo on Cuba since 1962 neither countries trade with each other because of many disagreements about governing techniques and Fidel's unwillingness to comply with U.S. instructions. Cuba’s long history and culture has contributed to many economic and social growth through out the world, but Cuba is still struggling to try to stable their economy.

After the revolution, health care and education improved enormously. While before the revolution only 30% of rural children had teachers, primary education became compulsory under Castro. However the education was often biased, and information which would undermine Castro’s regime was not taught, and was also kept out of the media, books and newspapers. Half a million Cubans fled Cuba to work in America, and appeared to enjoy a much better life there. The

On January 8th, 1959, Fidel Castro and his rebel army marched triumphantly into Havana, Cuba, having overthrown corrupt dictator Fulgencio Batista the week earlier. It was the fruition of the Cuban Revolution, and the dramatic shift in power was about to radically alter the country’s political, social and economic course forever. The positive and negative effects of the revolution on the Cuban people, however, as well as the condition of Cuba’s economy pre and post-revolution, is subject to heated debate. Castro’s iron-fisted regime was the introduction of communism into the western hemisphere, and now, over fifty years later, the Cuban Revolution continues to be one of the most controversial events of the twentieth century. Despite the criticism levelled at Fidel Castro and his communist regime, however, the Cuban Revolution was necessary in improving the quality of life for the majority of Cuban citizens. The four fundamental categories on which to assess this are healthcare, education, economy and governance. By comparing the country’s overall performance under Fulgencio Batista versus under Fidel Castro in these areas crucial to a fully-functioning nation, it can be shown that the Cuban Revolution was a necessary and positive change in Cuban society which benefitted the majority of citizens.

In the Treaty of Paris of 1898, Spain relinquished all sovereignty over Cuba. For a time, the policy of the United States toward Cuba was somewhat ambivalent. The Teller Amendment at the beginning of the Spanish-American War had pledged the restoration of Cuba to the Cubans. However, at the same time the United States was determined that it would not be placed after the war with Spain in a worse position in regard to its vital interests in Cuba than it had been when Cuba was a Spanish possession.

Current events in Cuba have caught a lot of attention, as we witness a historical shift in

Cuban healthcare is a unique system that came about as a result of campaign promises from Fidel Castro in 1959. Although during Batistas rule doctors were well trained and respected, most all the countrys health services and facilities were located in concentrated population centers. The lack of access to rural farmers and families had created marked disparities between the two groups. However, as Fidel rose to power, his new state would act to provide free and accessible care to all citizens of Cuba.2 He set very specific policy goals for the country such as:

It may seem that they don't make much money. Their prices in Cuba for things are far less than what we have here in the U.S. Like a bottle of coke is a dollar and twenty-two cents in Cuba and in the United States it is a dollar and seventy-five cents. Womens life expectancy in Cuba is 80 years old. Men's life expectancy in Cuba is 70 years old. Kids are required to go to school at least till high school. Uniforms are required at every school and they were different colors for each grade. The literacy rate in Cuba was 99% .Education is free to anyone all the way through the university level. They want everyone to have a chance to learn because most of them would not be able to afford to go to school or college.

Cuba’s early history is characterized by colonization, agricultural capitalism, the introduction of African slave labor, and a class system that divided the island (Mintz, 1971). Beginning in the 1800’s the Catholic Church ideology saturated Cuban society, which was the standard of Spanish-speaking Latin America at that time. Education at this time was an opportunity experienced by elite, white, males and centered on rigid Catholic tenets of philosophy. The base economy was agriculture, and African slaves

“There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil” (Rand, 1957). As senior enlisted leaders it is important that we understand how to deal with conflict resolution. This paper will examine Cuba’s background, former and current government, strategic importance, and possible future direction.

“Poverty in Cuba, Welfare in a Broke Country.” Poverties. February 2012. Web. 16 April 2016. .

“History Will Absolve Me.” In the speech Castro says “a revolutionary government would undertake the integral reform of the educational system...An educated country will always be strong and free” (Castro, 1953). Though Cubans today are one of the most educated people in the world today free is not the word one would use to describe the political atmosphere. As part of the literacy campaign, especially in the rural areas, measures such as sending eager Cuban youths to live with families in rural areas were taken. In an account of a young woman who took part in the literacy campaign, she said “You see, to me the campaign was such a great thing, such a historic event...our aim was to educate gradually” (Lewis & Rigdon, ). The workers at the mini polyclinics also played an important role in educating their communities on sanitation, stress, diet, obesity, depression, care during pregnancy and a host of other issues related to the people’s well being.

One of the underlying themes in Castro’s speech was his ability to underscore that there was a fundamental problem in Cuba’s economy. In a time when the United States had recently come out of its own economic recession and was industrializing, foreign threats severely undermined Cuba’s ability to gain economic autonomy. As Castro keenly pointed out, “ 85% of small farmers in Cuba pay rent and live under

So, for example, all 8th graders would wear green or blue etc; and all 9th graders would wear white, red, purple, etc. Even though it may seem hard to believe, in 1959, most Cubans that lived in rural areas didn’t have more than a third grade education. Some even had less than that, until the Cuban Revolution. After the Cuban Revolution, the government wanted to reconstruct the education system. In fact, it was their top priority. With the new government, elementary school was more important and more available for children. Once they were done with that, they set out to teach Cubans how to read. The whole country faced that problem. Over 800 literacy centers were opened by 1959 according to Wikipedia. Also, children living in poverty could now get a free education because of the government’s actions.