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Tens of thousands of people around the world die each day from causes that could have been prevented with access to affordable health care resources. In an era of unprecedented global inequity, Cuba, a small, low-income country, is making a difference by providing affordable health care to millions of marginalized people.

Cuba has developed a world-class health care system that provides universal access to its own citizens while committing to one of the most extensive international health outreach campaigns in the world. The country has trained thousands of foreign medical students for free under a moral agreement that they serve desperate communities. To date, over 110,000 Cuban health care workers have served overseas.

Where No Doctor Has Gone Before looks at the dynamics of Cuban medical internationalism to understand the impact of Cuba’s programs within the global health landscape. Topics addressed include the growing moral divide in equitable access to health care services, with a focus on medical tourism and Cuba’s alternative approach to this growing trend. Also discussed is the hidden curriculum in mainstream medical education that encourages graduates to seek lucrative positions rather than commit to service for the marginalized. The author shows how Cuba’s Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina (ELAM) serves as a counter to this trend.

An acknowledgement of Cuba’s tremendous commitment, the book reveals a compelling model of global health practice that not only meets the needs of the marginalized but facilitates an international culture of cooperation and solidarity.

1

Against the Garden Path that Justifies Health Inequity: Making the Case for Health Care as a Human Right

Robert Huish

This chapter serves as an introduction to pressing global health issues and an understanding of Cuban medical internationalism.  It positions Cuba’s approach to health care provision as unique to other nations in the global South.


2

Sewing the Seeds of Health as a Right: The Origins of Health Care in Cuba

Robert Huish

This is a historical overview of the Cuban health care system, its evolution through various political regimes and how medical internationalism evolved from a strong domestic commitment to health care.


3

Growing Alternatives through Foreign Policy: Foreign Policy and Perspectives on International Health

Robert Huish

The chapter discusses the growing moral divide in equitable access to health care services. In particular the issue of medical tourism is discussed, and with Cuba’s alternative approach to this growing global trend.


4

The New Doctor Blooms: The Ethics of Medical Education

Robert Huish

The hidden curriculum in medical education encourages graduates to seek lucrative positions rather than commit to service for the marginalized.  The chapter shows how Cuba’s ELAM serves as an antithesis to this trend.


5

The Blossom of Cooperation: Cuban Medical Internationalism through ELAM in Ecuador

Robert Huish

The chapter illuminates how economic austerity can spell disaster for the provision of health care services in poor nations.  Following ELAM graduates back to Ecuador, the chapter discusses how their moral commitment to serve the poor played out.


6

The Fruit of Solidarity: How to Maintain Hope for Global Health

Robert Huish

The chapter summarizes the looming challenges to global health inequity and how Cuba’s example could work to greatly change these trends.


Table of Contents

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  1. Cover
  2. p. 1
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  1. Title Page, Copyright Page
  2. pp. 2-7
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  1. Contents
  2. pp. vii-viii
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  1. Preface
  2. pp. ix-x
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  1. Acknowledgements
  2. pp. xi-xiii
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  1. List of Acronyms
  2. pp. xiv-15
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  1. A Note on Sources
  2. pp. xv-xvi
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  1. Chapter 1. Against the Garden Path That Justifies Health Inequity: Making the Case for Health Care as a Human Right
  2. pp. 1-30
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  1. Chapter 2. Sowing the Seeds of Health as a Right: The Origins of Health Care in Cuba
  2. pp. 31-50
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  1. Chapter 3. Growing Alternatives through Foreign Policy: Foreign Policy and Perspectives on International Health
  2. pp. 51-72
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  1. Chapter 4. The New Doctor Blooms: The Ethics of Medical Education
  2. pp. 73-112
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  1. Chapter 5. The Blossom of Cooperation: Cuban Medical Internationalism through ELAM in Ecuador
  2. pp. 113-148
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  1. Chapter 6. The Fruit of Solidarity: How to Maintain Hope for Global Health
  2. pp. 149-156
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  1. Notes
  2. pp. 157-160
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  1. References
  2. pp. 161-174
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  1. Index
  2. pp. 175-206
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