Are there risks involved?

Every medical procedure has a potential risk associated with it. The Cuban medical system strives to ensure the level of risk is no greater than if you were to be treated in the US or Canada. Each individual's situation and health condition differs and it is important for you to inform your healthcare professional of all health conditions before any procedures are undertaken.

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What are the financial benefits?

In general medical procedures preformed in Cuba can be up to 80% less expensive than those performed in the U.S. and as much as 50-60% lower than in Canada. The extent of your savings depends of course upon the type of surgeries you require and to what level your government or private insurance plans will cover. We will help you assess this by presenting you with an estimate of your total costs including medical, travel and lodging. You can then compare the costs and wait times to the same procedures performed at home and then make an informed decision. We stress that while saving money and time is important and should be a consideration, it is the quality of healthcare that must be your top priority. We are confident in the quality and effectiveness of medical care provided by the professionals in Cuba.

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Why should I pay for something I can get for free?

Canada's healthcare system is one of the finest in the world; however it is not free and it is solely funded by the Canadian tax payer. As our population ages and more people require medical attention we are faced with either paying higher taxes for healthcare or waiting longer times to access these services. The attraction of Cuba is that it offers top quality medical procedures, with little or no waiting times at very affordable costs. For some patients who require surgeries, wait times are not an issue. For others who are in chronic pain or disabled as a result of their disease state, waiting for medical attention may become intolerable and health tourism becomes a real option. In Canada there is some taxation relief available and the possibility of provincial reimbursements to patients who have to wait unreasonable lengths of time for surgery.

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Are the Cuban Doctors as well trained as those in Canada or the U.S.?

Cuban Doctors are internationally recognized for their training and expertise. Education in Cuba is paid for by the state and as a result medical students receive extensive training without the concern of how to pay for it, as happens in Canada. Cuban physicians routinely travel abroad to experience medical systems in Europe, Asia, North and South America. The life expectancy in Cuba is equal to that found in developed countries such as Canada and the United States. This type of statistic can only be achieved if the medical training and procedures are similar to those of developed countries.

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Why are some healthcare professionals skeptical about medical tourism?

The reasons for skepticism by some in the medical community may vary. Primarily it stems from a lack of understanding of foreign medical training and procedures. There is also a point of pride in both the lay person as well as the professional to consider that "our" system is the best. We place our confidence and more importantly our lives in the hands of our healthcare professionals and therefore it is natural for us to believe that we have a superior product. The people and professionals in the U.S., Britain, Cuba and other countries believe their medical process are superior and use the same logic to be wary of the Canadian healthcare system. One only has to look at the flap caused by American legislators who openly questioned the quality of Canadian pharmaceuticals being shipped to U.S. patients. In fact the products in question are the same medicines that were manufactured in America sold in Canada then resold to U.S. patients at a lower cost than they could buy it for in their own country.
If you are doing research on the subject, you will notice that Cuba is promoting some vaccines which are used world wide, that Cuban doctors use the same equipment as Canadian doctors and those in the industrial countries, and that Cuban doctors are in demand throughout the world. Many hospitals and health institutions in Cuba have and continue to receive honorary prizes for the quality of their services and equipment.

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What if my family doctor advises against a medical procedure abroad?

Such advice is certainly to be expected. Rest assured that the U.S. and Canada are not the only countries that have rigorous healthcare standards. If fact, you may be surprised to learn that hospitals in both countries are being shut down due to poor quality standards. As recent as January 2007 the famous Walter Reed Army hospital group in the United States made international headlines because of its unsafe and unsanitary conditions.

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In a non-English speaking country, is communication an issue?

All international hospitals in Cuba provide an English speaking translator if required, however most doctors do speak English as a second language. In addition Choice® provides a PPC (personal patient consultant) who is in constant contact with you and will assist you if needed. The patient and family will receive a pre programmed cell phone or other paging equipment to ensure a constant line of communication is available.

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