Re: Emergency Health Care in Cuba

[Milli]

;)   The purpose of this question is not to rehash a debate on another website but to get some factual information.  As we know medical emergencies can strike anywhere and anytime and are quite notorious for striking when it is not convenient for us.  It is often suggested that we bring simple meds like tylenol, gravol, vitamins, antibiotics and leave them as they are much needed.  So if a person were to say suffer a heart attack, a fast moving infection, serious asthma attack or just about anything does anyone know or has anyone experienced what health care we can expect before we can return to Canada?
   

[Steve_YYZ]

Excellent topic Milli:
 
 First off, I think you must be prepared before you go to Cuba.
 
 You should have good Travel Insurance and know the exact details of how to contact them, how to file a claim, do you have to pay upfront, what receipts will they require, is emergency evacuation provided, pre-existing conditions, etc.
 
 Next is to have any personal medications you might require, and this can include antibiotics that you carry for an emergency. Consult your doctor for advice on this.
 
 Next is what shots are you comfortable having in advance. This should include Tetanus at the least and can also include TwinRx and any others depending on where you are travelling. Again, consult your doctor prior to travel.
 
 And lastly, for Cuba I carry a printout of the following list. It has the addresses of Havana hospitals (where I spend a lot of time) plus the International Clinics throughout Cuba, plus the Asistur information if I need to go that route.
 
 That's how I prepare and protect myself.
 
 Steve
 
 Here's my Cuba list.
 ==============================================
 
 The Círa García Hospital (Clínica Círa García, Calle 20 No. 4191, corner of Av. 41 and Playa; tel.: 204-2668 or 204-2489) offers health services reserved for foreigners. Guarantee of payment must be provided in advance. Other hospitals in Havana also have wards for foreigners, such as Hermanos Amejeiras Hospital, address: San Lázaro no. 701, Centro Habana; tel.: 537-877-6072 and 537-873-2934) and Comandante Manuel Fajardo Hospital, which has the only psychiatric ward for foreigners (address: Zapata y D. Vedado; tel.: 537-55-2466 and 537-33-3701).
 
 International "Servimed" clinics provide emergency medical care and are located in most major tourist areas around the island.
 
 Clinicas Internacionales / International Clinics
 (Clinics purpose is to assist health problems for tourists)
 Centro Internacional Oftalmologico "Camilo Cienfuegos"
 Calle L No. 151 esq. 13
 Vedado. Ciudad de La Habana
 Telefonos: (53 7) 32-5554 > 32-5555 > 32-5597
 Fax: (53 7) 33-3536 > 33-3578
 Email: cirpcc@infomed.sld.cu
 
 Clinica Central "Cira Garcia"
 Calle 20 No. 4101 esq. 43 Miramar
 Playa. Ciudad de La Habana
 Telefonos: (53 7) 24-2811al 14
 Fax: (53 7) 24-1633
 Email: ciragcu@infomed.sld.cu
 
 Clinica Internacional de Playas del Este
 Ave. de las Terrazas No. 36
 Playa Santa Maria del Mar, Habana del Este.
 Ciudad de La Habana
 Telefonos: (53 7) 97-1032
 
 Clinica Internacional de Varadero
 Calle 61 y 1ra, Varadero. Matanzas
 Telefonos: (53 5) 66-7710 al 11 > Urg 66-8611
 Fax: (53 5) 66-7226
 Email: clinica@clinica.var.cyt.cu
     
 Clinica Internacional de Cienfuegos
 Calle 37 No. 202 e/ 2 y 4
 Punta Gorda. Cienfuegos
 Telefonos: (53 432) 45-1622 > 45-1623
 
 Clinica Internacional de Trinidad
 Calle Lino Perez No. 130 esq. Reforma
 Trinidad. Sancti Spiritus
 Telefonos: (53 419) 3391
 
 Clinica Internacional de Cayo Coco
 Hotel Tryp Club Cayo Coco. Ciego de avila
 Telefonos: (53 33) 301205 > 301300
     
 Clinica Internacional de Santa Lucia
 Residencia No. 4, Playa Santa Lucia. Camaguey
 Telefonos: (53 32) 366203 Fax: (53 32) 365300
 
 Clinica Internacional de Guardalavaca
 Calle 2da s/n
 Playa Guardalavaca. Holguin
 Telefonos: (53 24) 3-0291
 
 Clinica Internacional Santiago de Cuba
 Calle 13 y 145
 Reparto Vista Alegre. Santiago de Cuba
 Telefonos: (53 226) 42589 Fax: (53 226) 87001
 
 ========================================
 Hospitals of Havana
 
 Cardiocentro "William Soler" / Cardiac Hospital Ave. San Francisco
 No. 10112 esq. Perla, Altahabana, Boyeros.
 Ciudad de La Habana Actividad: Especialidades del corazon.
 Telefonos: (53 7) 44-3621 al 23 > 44-4820 Fax: (53 7) 33-5414
 
 Centro de Investigaciones Clinicas (CIC) / Clinic Investigations Center
 Calle 45 No. 45012 esq. 34, Reparto Kholy, Playa. Ciudad de La Habana
 Telefonos: (53 7) 22-7055 > 23-0087 Fax: (53 7) 29-0427
 
 Centro de Investigaciones Medico-Quirurgicas (CIMEQ)
 Medical-Surgical Investigations
 Center Calle 216 esq. 13, Reparto Siboney, Playa. Ciudad de La Habana
 Telefonos: (53 7) 33-6497 > 336498 Fax: (53 7) 33-6440
 
 Complejo Ortopedico "Frank Pais" / International Orthopedics Complex
 Ave. 51 No. 19603, La Lisa. Ciudad de La Habana
 Telefonos: (53 7) 21-7755 > 21-7022 > 21-7013 Fax: (52 7) 33-1422 > 33-6444
 
 Hospital "Comandante Manuel Fajardo" / General Medicins and Surgery
 Calle Zapata y D, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolucion. Ciudad de La Habana
 Telefonos: (53 7) 55-2452 al 61 > 33-3701
   
 Hospital Clinico Quirurgico "Hermanos Ameijeiras" / Clinic Surgical Hospital
 Calle San Lazaro No. 701 e/ Marques Gonzalez y Belascoain,
 Centro Habana. Ciudad de La Habana Actividad: Medicina General y Cirugia.
 Telefonos: (53 7) 57-6043 > 57-6077
 
 Hospital Oftalmologico "Ramon Pando Ferrer" / Oculist Hospital
 Calle 76 No. 3104 e/ 31 y 41, Marianao. Ciudad de La Habana
 Actividad: Microcirugia Oftalmica. Telefonos: (53 7) 20-5021 al 25
 
 Hospital Ortopedico "Julio Diaz" / Orthopedic Hospital
 Ave. 243 No. 19815, Reparto Fontanar, Boyeros.
 Ciudad de La Habana Actividad: Todo tipo de lesiones ortopedicas y afecciones oseas.
 Telefonos: (53 7) 45-4857 > 45-4088
 
 Hospital Pediatrico "Juan Manuel Marquez" / Children Hospital
 Ave. 31 y 76, Marianao. Ciudad de La Habana
 Telefonos: (53 7) 20-2860 > 20-9650
 
 ================================================================
 Asistur (Specific assistance organization for tourists in an emergency)
 http://www.asistur.cu/indexi.htm
 
 HEADQUARTERS:
 Asistencia al Turista S.A., Prado No. 208, La Habana, Cuba.
 Telephone: (53 7) 866 44 99.
 Fax : (53 7) 866 80 87
 24 hours Alarm Center
 (53 7) 866 85 27, 866 83 39, 866 89 20, 867 13 15
 
 Varadero:
 Edificio Marbella, apto. 6 Avenida 1ra entre 42 y 43 Telefax: (53 45) 66 7277
 asisturvaradero@enet.cu
 
 Cienfuegos:
 Calle 54 (Boulevard) No. 3111 e/ 32 y 34 Telefax: (53 43) 55 1624
 asisturcfg@cfg.intermar.cu
 
 Ciego de Avila:
 Oficinas de TRANSTUR en Cayo Coco, Telefax: (53 33) 30 8150
 asisturcayococo@enet.cu
                                           
 Camaguey:
 Calle Ignacio Agramonte No. 449 e/ Lopez Recio e Independencia, Telefax: (53 32) 286317
 asisturcmg@enet.cu
       
 Holguin:
 Centro Comercial TRD, Playa GuardaLaVaca Telefax: (53 24) 30 148
 asisturholguin@enet.cu
                         
 Santiago de Cuba:
 Calle 4 e/ 7 y 9,Centro de Negocios, Reparto Vista Alegre,
 Telefax: (53 22) 68 6128
 asisturstago@enet.cu

[debmich]

I have been so surprised by people who really know nothing about how to follow directions concerning medical insurance.
 In January, we met a couple who had been to the doctor almost daily. Mainly because the husband had what they thought to be a stroke, but diagnosed as Bell's Palsy.  (he had paralysis on one side of his face, but it was a scary situation, thinking he was having a stroke).  He was ambulanced to the clinic and had daily visits with the doctor for two weeks.  He was prescribed prednisone, sp? and vitamin shots daily.  He slept almost the whole holiday and had vertigo and couldn't do much.
 Anyway, after all of this, he still had not contacted his insurance company.  I had asked him if he had done any research on his diagnosis? NO!  Had he contacted the insurance company by at least email? NO!  I was a bit surprised!
 It is usual and most common to have to contact your insurance company before treatment!  Now I understand that emergency situations would force you to have to wait, but I would think contacting them immediately after would be the best!
 
 
 Debbie

[Milli]

Steve:  Thanks for posting that list.  That was a piece of information that I wanted  ;)  
 
 Debmich:  I think we as Canadians probably take so much for granted with our Medicare system.  We are not used to filling out endless forms for routine care and seeing what the actual cost was for our treatment.  I hope the example you posted and Steve's suggestions help us prepare better for what could happen when away from home.

[LindaBT]

Thanks Steve for this information.  I have made a copy and put it with my passport.

[MCB]

Great topic and some excellent information.We've had some minor "first aid" requirements with insurance forms to complete when we got home..keep every receipt/every contact's name..the more the better.
 I'm going to digress for a minute...with another travel issue/concern.
 A couple of years ago...we had our house broken into and vandalized while we were in Mexico.
 Our house/pet sitter contacted us..we flew home early...losing our second week there.There was no way we could holiday knowing the pets were traumatized,the house was in shambles,the RCMP wanted to interview us,etc...
 After numerous expenses (rebooking flights,second week of holiday costs lost)...we found out neither our travel or house insurance covered any of these costs.
 It was quite the "eye opener" as to how vulnerable you are when travelling.
 Just another bit of information.
 
   :cool:

[PastorAsh]

Steve,
 
 Thanx for the info. but next time could you make it a little more detailed, it was way too vague for me.
 
   ;)

[Steve_YYZ]

Originally posted by PastorAsh:
  Steve,
 
 Thanx for the info. but next time could you make it a little more detailed, it was way too vague for me.
 
     ;)  

In your case Pastor, the instructions are much more simple and brief.
 
 Step 1) Get sick
 Step 2) Pray for relief.
 
 So endeth the lesson.          

[PastorAsh]

Ahhh, thanx for the morning laugh, I enjoyed that!
 
   :D    :D    :D  
 
   :party:    :party:

[FredTracie]

Again great topic!
   When Tracie had her accident in Guardalavaca (our parents were with us) Here is what happened and what should be done A.S.A.P.....
  - We made sure she was stable with the help of other guests (bad broken leg)There was NO Assistance from hotel staff, as a matter of fact they didn't want to give us ice!
  -The boys from England all helped to get her out of the pool!
  - I went to the room to get:
  #1- PASSPORTS.  
  #2- CASH.
  #3- CREDIT CARD.
  #4- (should be #1) Gave Tracie's Dad the info to call the insurance company in Canada!!
  Went to the hospital, 1st trip and upon our return arranged for drugs, wheelchair etc., again phoned insurance co. and had everything O.K.ed!
  OH did I say "CALL INSURANCE COMPANY"
 FYI. The phone calls to the insurance co. were paid for by them, the cost of the Doctor/Specialist was far less than the phone calls?
 
           :1: .....F&T

[Milli]

:)  Fredtracie: It is good to hear from someone who has experienced the care.  Since there is such a desperate need in Cuba for just about everything I was wondering if a person went to an International clinic would there be things like antibiotics, disposable IV equipment, sterile packaged dressings, cardiac emergency meds and so on.
 I would like to clear up any misconceptions anyone might have about going to a  Cuban hospital or clinic that might keep them from seeking immediate care.  It sounds like Tracie got the care she needed.  I think I will go familiarize myself with my insurance policy  ;)

[FredTracie]

Milli
  The care in Cuba is as good or better than Canada! With that being said.. the difference is that Cuba does not have all of the meds or the Hi Tech equipment that we do.. Now Tracie was Diagnosed by the specialist that was "waiting" for her when we arrived by ambulance, he was absolutely correct with what he said!! Upon our return to Canada we spent almost 2 days trying to see the specialist who agreed with what the Cuban doctor said!! ... Difference....8-10 friggin Hours Waiting in a Canadian Hospital to be told what the Cuban doctor had already said!!!
 Don't be afraid of the Cuban Medical System!! It is very Efficient and of good quality!
 
        Cheers....F&T

[Tuss]

From what I've observed and been told the Cuban medical staff are very well trained.  However,  they are often lacking the necessary equipment, medications, etc.  I certainly wouldn't want to have surgery there or be in a bad accident, but you would still probably be better off than in Mexico or other Carribean islands.