Orthopedic medical tourism in Cuba?

Question

I am suffering a muscle pain and I also have a profound hatred for the U.S. healthcare, including making phone calls to see if some provider is "in network" and all that goes with it.

Since I do not think getting medical treatment should be as administratively complicated as it is here in the States, I am contemplating taking a vacation to Cuba, if I can enjoy their excellent healthcare at a discounted price as a foreigner, now that travel to Cuba is open.

I am posting here to inquire about how easy and cheap it is for a foreigner to walk into an orthopedist's office somewhere in Cuba and get treatment.

Answer 1

Like any medical specialists, in any country, advance booking is likely a necessity. You could walk in but if they're busy or on leave, you wouldn't be able to see anyone.

So I'd recommend contacting a few in advance. This is relatively easy to do online:

• The Frank Pais Orthopedic Hospital in Havana (I saw this when I went through the city in July) has an online enquiry form at the bottom of the page
• Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras - also in Havana - has an online enquiry form
• and for somewhere else, Hospital Universitario Lenin in Holguin has an enquiry form too. Although I assume you'll want one in Havana for ease of flight access.

Costs are going to vary depending on your case, treatment and procedure, and as such any past examples are likely to only be indicative rather than accurate.

One further thing to consider - sure you could get treatment in another country that isn't the US (like Cuba), but if something goes wrong - or you have a complication upon returning to the US, your local US hospital or specialist might be reluctant to treat you as a result.

Answer 2

The hospital Cira García in Havana is specialized in offering medical services to foreigners in Cuba. You can contact them by phone or email. Note that phone calls to Cuba are usually very expensive.