
Issue No 72		06 October 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Letters to the Editor

Brits Look To Cuba For Health Solutions

With the escalation of our health care costs, to the extent of $47 billion in the year 1997/98 and in excess of two thirds of this funding being provided by the taxpayer, increasing at over 6% per year, the federal government must instigate a vigorous audit on the value obtained for the public dollar.

The United Kingdom, in its efforts to not only reign in rapidly escalating costs, but to also make their National Health System more patient centered, has focussed on the Caribbean island of Cuba. This island state has an amazing record with patient representation at every level, assisting and advising the manner in which their health service is operated.

When Fidel Castro came to power, the Cuban mortality rate was high and life expectancy was 48 for males and 54 for females. Today it rivals anywhere in Europe or the U.S., with life expectancy of 74 for males and 76 for females, and an Infant Mortality rate of only 7.1%. (Australia life expectancy 75 for males and 81 for females Infant mortality 12.4% in the Northern Territory , 5% Australia , indigenous infants average 4 times higher) The major differences being - the cost of health care. In Australia the average expenditure per person per annum was (97/98) $2,536, in Cuba, it is the equivalent of less than $25.

These cost savings are not at the expense of service provision, in fact, in Cuba, there are 21 Medical Schools, 37,000 nurses and 30,00 General Practitioners, which varies service of up to one GP, per 500-700 people.

The United Kingdom, desperately seeking inspiration in an attempt to revive its failing heath system, recently sent Department of Health officials with 100 GPs to Cuba on a fact-finding mission. We could perhaps could do well to emulate these efforts.

Tom Collins

Australian Figures: pop: 19,000,000

Registered nurses (150,800) and medical practitioners (31,600 general

medical practitioners and 14,100 specialist medical practitioners)

Cuban Figures: pop: 12,000,000

Registered Nurses 37,000 and 30,00 General Practitioners, which depending on

geographic situation of one GP, to 500-700 people.

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Issue 72 contents

Interview: Taking It To The Union Busters
ACTU Assistant Secretary Richard Marles talks to Workers Online about turning back the anti-union sentiment growing in the business community, responsible unionism and the sense of fun to be found at the ACTU.

International: The White Knights
The International Labour Organisation has become the great hope for those fighting to give globalisation a human face. Australian Bob Kyloh is one of those working with trade unions within the ILO to make it happen.

Politics: Industrial Democracy for Australia
Glenn Patmore argues we need new forms of employee representation in the workplace to broaden employee participation.

Unions: Behind The Scenes
In a small office at Homebush Bay, as the world focused on all that was positive about our games, Unions 2000 and SOCOG officials worked tirelessly to ensure that no worker was ripped off. Chris Christoudoulou reports.

Satire: Parade of Icons �Could Have Included Even More Ex-Aussies� Say Critics
The selection of Greg Norman, Paul Hogan and Elle Macpherson to represent Australia in the �Parade of Icons� during the Closing Ceremony of the Sydney Games last night has prompted a storm of complaints from other famous former Australians.

Review: Elliott Smiths Figure 8
Smith is basically the secret love child of the fab four and it�s so blatantly obvious. That�s not a bad thing because one thing Lennon and McCartney were reknown for was there ability to pen catchy tunes.

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