Hands Off Venezuela screening of ¡Salud!

A crowd of 72, mostly students, crammed in room 364 of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to watch the documentary ¡Salud! by award winning filmmaker Connie Field. The film chronicles the amazing achievements of the Cuban health system at home and the impact its outreach programs have had in Venezuela and around the world despite having few health care dollars to spend and little resources.

Since its beginnings with the 1959 revolution, Cuba's health system has brought the health of the island's inhabitants up to world class standards. We were all surprised to discover Cuba has a lower infant mortality rate than the United States.

The film illustrates how Cuba's international cooperation plan has made all the difference in countries such as Gambia, South Africa, Honduras and Venezuela.

It shows how the basis of the Cuban Health model is in the integration of practice and teaching directly in the community. It is health care for the community and by the people from the community - no matter what their class, income or how remote an area they might live in. It stresses the idea that health care is a human right, not a privilege only for the rich.

It was shown that this style of health socialization builds a strong relationship between the doctor and patient but also, builds a sense of reciprocity that the patient will take care and participate in their own preventative health care. This focus on keeping people healthy produces dramatic results in the reduction of disease and the saving of lives compared to the "sick-care" style practiced here in the UK.

Everyone agreed it was a film well worth seeing! Nearly 40 people signed up to be added to the London HoV mailing list.

Should you be interested in hosting your own screening and discussion of the important issues raised in ¡Salud! in your school, trade union or community just contact Hands Off Venezuela for a copy of the film and/or a speaker.