FREE?

By now, you’ve all heard about the FREE Medical Scholarships offered at NYU?

Are you certain the shoe fits?

UPDATE: Circumstances faced by Cuban Doctors on assignment, in Venezuela and Brazil -Proletarian Internationalism Distorted, Big Business https://havanatimes.org/?p=145051

Revelations about Revolutions in Cuba, December 2018 – At least they have healthcare..

Tags:

• Continuing Medical Education Cuba
• Cuban Doctors
• Culture in Cuba

It’s been a long time since I updated my readers about what’s happening in Cuba. Due to the continuing embargo, to say the least, the news has been discouraging.

It’s hard to imagine how difficult the reality is in Cuba right now, but life and science marches on.

Although I am not affiliated with this this group, from what I read, they’ve been around a while, and it is a legitimate opportunity to visit Cuba. Here’s the link to the December conference http://medicc.org/ns/healthycubahealthyworld/

My apologies for not offering CME credits for conferences in Cuba at this point in time. I’m assuming you will receive a certificate of attendance. There’s always the chance that you are willing to do the paperwork yourself.

The latest on CME requirements arrived in my inbox this week:

Tags:

• Continuing Medical Education Cuba
• Medicine in Cuba

No doubt that the lights of hope and inspiration in Cuba have dimmed. Confirmation came a few days ago, January 31, when Alaska Airlines announced the last direct flight from LAX to Cuba: – exactly one year after the inaugural post here:

Eyes on today’s dreary tourism news for 2018:

If you’re interested in the chronological highlights of Cuba in our lifetime, from Google Alerts:

From what I hear from a Venezuelan clinic owner, who’s not being paid by the national insurance company of Venezuela because they’re not getting paid by their government. No use sending medical supplies because everything is confiscated. It’s not just Cuba that’s suffering, seems like more than every before, people are killed and tortured all over the world because greed.is a human condition, …seemingly, without end.

Tags:

• Melia Hotels in Cuba
• Medical Travel to Cuba
• Cuban Tourism
• People2People Tours to Cuba
• Culture in Cuba
• Cuban Embargo News
• Community Healthcare in Cuba
• Travel to Cuba

Mid-year, I didn’t imagine anything else needed to be said about Medical/Educational travel to Cuba. However, the last few months have spelled out the special circumstances of U.S. Scientific relationships with Cuba, and it ain’t good.

Wishing all of my readers a sweet Valentine’s Day, and a safe and warm 2018.

Thanks to everyone who continues to spread the word and subscribe for updates.

Tags:

• Medical Travel to Cuba
• Continuing Medical Education Cuba
• Medical Conventions in Cuba
• Cuban Doctors
• Cuba Travel Services
• Cuban education
• CME in Cuba
• Cuban Healthcare

Waiting and hoping to include some good news in CME-Abroad’s “last” post about Continuing Medical Education in Cuba for 2017, but the news got from bad to worse, starting with https://theintercept.com/2017/06/16/trump-cuba-embargo-reverse-obama-opening/

To be clear:

1. YOUR TRAVEL AFFIDAVIT/LICENSE WAS and still IS legally listed under EDUCATIONAL/Scientific category.

2. TO DATE: NO TRUMP CHANGES have been executed, or expected until 2018.

3. TO DATE: No official list of approved hotels have been supplied by OFAC.

But let’s not waste time attempting to work around a stinky system by using foreign owned hotels or local AirBnBs. Things could change overnight. as they have repeatedly. At this time in political history, I suggest you postpone your visit to Cuba, unless it’s for humanitarian reasons.

Last week, Embassy diplomats leaving Havana to accept posts Spain and Canada:

This one’s been building up the last few days:

And today’s latest – Sonar suspicions as U.S Diplomats go deaf and blind

However, if you are interested in planning a group sail around Cuba on a small ship or yacht, and/or you can supply your own CME during the cruise – CME-Abroad is working with Greek owned Variety and MCI Cruises. Please contact us for more information.

Till Next time!

.

Less than a year ago, during Obama’s White House, Cuba was making headlines at least once a week. Slowly packing up the White House, we had photos of our steadily grayed, handsome and exotic President in Cuba, shaking hands with Raul, before joining Michelle, his brilliant bride and their grown/glowing daughters touring Havana’s historical sites.

As Hillary’s a new server was being delivered to the White House, there was Trump shoving his way in. Who knows what kind of world it would have been with a different cast of characters and unique sensibilities.

Today, Trump’s family White House has proven to be more of a gritty, daily Media/Reality show crafted in Twitter bites. A run-away hit from Siberia, set on golden rails, and powered by coal, it’s on it’way to the promised land in the rich, trillion dollar oil fields of Saudi Arabia. Wait! Who’s on 3rd? I might have gotten that wrong. I lost track of our defense dollars in Iraq or Iran. Who’s watching Turkey’s back? What ever happened in Cuba?

As soon as I know, you’ll know. Till then, take care of each other… Meantimem read USA Today link below:

Here’s yesterday’s news update from USA TODAY

Tags:

• Continuing Medical Education Cuba
• Medical Conventions in Cuba
• Cuban Doctors
• Education in Cuba
• CME in Cuba
• Cuban Embargo News
• Cuba Travel Restrictions

Our CME-Abroad team in Varadero, Cuba at Mantanzas University has been on-hold, like the rest of us, while awaiting news from the Trump administration’s next move. Meanwhile, we’re developing new programs tailored to your needs.

Here’s the link to all the latest at Alaska Air, which as far as I know, is still the only airline flying to Havana from LAX; http://www.medicaltourismlite.com/2016/09/alaska-airlines-direct-to-havana-from.html

And today’s latest news about travel to Cuba, courtesy Richard D’Ambrosio, for the Travel Market Report:

“The movement toward freeing up travel to Cuba gained momentum this week as Senate members introduced a bill that would remove the remaining travel restrictions to the country.”

The bill, called the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act, was originally introduced in 2015 by eight co-sponsors but never moved to the Senate floor for discussion or a vote.

Then in 2016, the Obama Administration eased trade restrictions and allowed travel to Cuba for a limited variety of travel, including family visits, educational and humanitarian activities, official U.S. government business and professional research.

President Trump has hinted at reversing these measures, leading many politicians and travel industry officials who support open travel to Cuba to grow concerned. Currently, the Trump administration has only said that Cuba travel restrictions were “under review.”

The bill would need the support of five more senators to advance, but faces fierce opposition from anti-Castro Cuban-American lawmakers such as Sens. Marco Rubio and Robert Menendez

.

In a statement, Sen. Flake said that “Recognizing the inherent right of Americans to travel to Cuba isn’t a concession to dictators, it is an expression of freedom. It is Americans who are penalized by our travel ban, not the Cuban government.”

“Lifting the ban on U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba can pave the way to meaningful change by increasing contact between Cubans and everyday Americans, and it is certain to have positive benefits for the island’s burgeoning entrepreneurial and private sector.”

A similar bill was introduced in the House of Representatives January 1, 2017, by Rep. Mark Sanford reads “the President may not prohibit or otherwise regulate, directly or indirectly, travel to or from Cuba by United States citizens or legal residents.”

The House bill also states that “any regulation in effect on such date of enactment that prohibits or otherwise regulates travel to or from Cuba by United States citizens or legal residents, or any of the transactions incident to such travel, including banking transactions, shall cease to have any force or effect.”

Tags:

• Continuing Medical Education Cuba
• Medical Conventions in Cuba
• Cuban Doctors
• Cuba Travel Services
• CME in Cuba
• Cuba Travel Restrictions

Just tired of waiting for Cuba to be a new hub for Medical Tourism & Wellness. Right now, my teeth could use some attention, so I’m off to Thailand to learn about the new King, enjoy a few weeks of physical therapy and new smile when I get home. All thanks to Yanhee Hospital in Bangkok. www.yanhee.net

“Happy trails to you. See you next time!

“… health systems need to be more responsive to people’s expectations of good customer service when they use health care. Whereas every other service domain is becoming more attuned and responsive to user feedback, health systems too often fail to hear or value their users’ preferences, which results in inconvenient hours, inflexible rules, unpleasant administrators or, in extreme cases, disrespectful or even abusive treatment.9 This type of experience dissuades people from coming back or adhering to care, thereby diminishing the health system’s ability to improve health.http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(17)30010-5/fulltext

Tags:

• Medical Travel to Cuba
• Continuing Medical Education Cuba
• Education in Cuba
• Cuba Travel Services
• Medical Conventions in Cuba

“Tell me whatcha want. What you really, really want!” Fitting lyrics by the Spice girls. Sit back, think of Mojitos and let’s get personal. Tell me, as a Medical Professional, what does your ideal trip to Cuba consist of? As a subscriber, you will be receive a short quiz in my next Shout-Out.

Starting 2017, everyone will have plenty of choices and more convenient ways to get to Cuba. However, unless we book well in advance, you may find yourself staying in Casa Particulars, instead of Cuba’s 5-Star, all inclusive resorts, or expensive hotels. I don’t see the prices in Cuba going down. Quite the opposite.

Personally, I love being immersed in the culture by staying at a Casa Particular. You can get an idea of what to expect on AirBnB.

A few of my subscribers are wondering where I’ve been lately, and what’s happening with Cuba.

Well, on June 8th, I fractured my knee-cap. I slipped on the water soaked floor of the laundry room in my building. Since then, I’ve had, “The Best Healthcare in the West” at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Hospital. Without my asking, two nurses confided that I lucked out with a great surgeon. The doctor said I was lucky it wasn’t my hip. When my friends said I was really taking it well, I reminded them how lucky I was to be on Medicare, “with” a side of SCAN.

P/T twice a week for a another few months before I get full range of movement back to my wired up, knee-cap. I’m not confident enough to travel yet, but I can sit at my desk comfortably again, drive, and get back to work. Not exactly fun,but a tremendous learning experience to be sure. I’m making up for lost time. But, maybe I was meant to slow down and reassess the situation.

The pressure was off when the trip was cancelled about a week before my accident. We only had 12 out of the 20 participants we promised, so they pulled the reserve on rooms at the Melia. Due to a shortage of rooms, this happens to everyone, so I wasn’t that surprised. I did find rooms and made arrangements for a few people who had plans in Cuba. It was especially disappointing for the Cuban Educators at Matanzas University, who were very hopeful to establish relationships, and share in the dreams of a brilliant future together.

But enough about me and the past. Here’s the great news about the future.

CUBA Updates

CME-Abroad is working with a small, exclusive cruise ship, to accommodate small groups of medical personnel for a cruise around Cuba. (This would allow us to stay on-board overnight.)

ALASKA AIR starts in Alaska, stops off in Seattle and LA before flying directly into Havana, starting on January 5, 2017.

My Cuban contact tells me, U of Miami is in Varadero these days, at the University of Matantas, exploring the possibilities of future medical conferences. They’ve been working with Cuba to set up accreditation for almost ten years. It’s more complicated than you think. I’m look forward to hearing it’s a go, and telling you all about it.

Bulletin: 10/19/2016 – OFAC and BIS Changes to Cuba Sanctions Further Ease Trade and Travel Restrictions on Health and Humanitarian Initiatives

“OFAC issued three new health-related general licenses. The first allows persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to engage in joint commercial and non-commercial medical research projects with Cuban nationals. The second allows transactions incident to obtaining U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Cuban-origin pharmaceuticals. The third allows for the importation into the United States, and the marketing, sale, or other distribution in the United States, of FDA-approved Cuban-origin pharmaceuticals.

Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction engaging in these health-related activities are also authorized to open and maintain bank accounts in Cuba for use in conducting the authorized business.

In addition, OFAC expanded the authorization for grants, scholarships, and awards to Cuba or Cuban nationals to include grants, scholarships, and awards related to scientific research and religious activities. Here’s the story:

DR. JILL BIDEN to Havana & Camaguey

Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Cathy Russell and Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan will accompany Dr. Jill Biden to Havana and Camaguey, Cuba from October 6 – 9. Together, they will meet with government officials and engage with a diverse range of Cubans on topics related to culture, education, women’s empowerment, and health.

ISN’T THIS REASON ENOUGH TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENING IN CUBA?

U.S. Patients Could Benefit from Innovative Cuban Therapies for Diabetes, Lung Cancer and More

Oakland, CA (PRWEB) October 14, 2016

The non-profit MEDICC (Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba) applauds the Obama Administration’s decision to eliminate obstacles that have kept Cuban health innovations from reaching Americans.

The U.S. Treasury Department´s Office of Foreign Assets Control(OFAC) announced today amendments to the Cuba embargo regulations that will allow U.S. medical research centers to collaborate with Cubans in commercial as well as non-commercial research. The changes also permit Cuban-developed pharmaceuticals to enter normal FDA regulatory channels, and be sold in the United States if FDA approved.

MEDICAL TOURISM TO CUBA – NOT APPROVED BY OFAC – YET…

MedicalTourismLite (my other website) published a story about the possibilities of U.S. citizens traveling for healthcare to Cuba. The answer came weeks after my post was published. In a quote from the link above:

…others are yet to be adopted, such as allowing U.S. patients to travel to Cuba for medical treatment, providing Americans with more options for care, especially given Cuba’s global recognition for many medical advances not yet available in the United States.

MedicalTourismLite -Suggests a Wellness Vacation in Cuba at Las Terrazas.

We really loved our visit here and wished we could have stayed for a few days to see the Sunrise and Sunset, and listen to the night creatures. To say nothing of enjoying the (non-GMO modified) fruits of the land, and soaking in thermal waters.

If you’re interested in more, here a link to a beautifully written article about the place and it’s history.

Tags:

• Medicine in Cuba
• Medical Travel to Cuba
• Continuing Medical Education Cuba
• Cuban Doctors
• Cuban education
• Medical Conventions in Cuba
• CME in Cuba
• Cuban Healthcare
• cancer cure in cuba