Like universal education, good medical care for all Cubans is a top priority for the Cuban government. And like the country's educational system, health care in Cuba is mostly free and available to all Cubans, regardless of their ability to pay. Until recently, even foreign visitors could enjoy the benefits of free medical services.

Creating a new health-care system in Cuba was not easy for the country's leaders. The exodus of professionals when Castro came to power included half of Cuba's doctors (about six thousand), along with many nurses. Their departure left the country's health-care system in a crisis. Despite this setback, Castro and his fellow revolutionaries were determined to improve the health of the Cuban people, especially the rural poor. Medical personnel rid the country of many communicable and parasitic diseases. They also vaccinated people and created a health-care system that...