Three years ago, Cuba's health ministry gave its seal of approval to alternative medicine by including it among five core strategies designed to improve the country's health care system. A division of natural and traditional medicine has been established at the ministry with a director in every province. Some aspects of Cuban medical care are highly advanced. Through aggressive vaccination, Cuba has eradicated a large number of common diseases, including polio, measles, mumps, diphtheria and tuberculosis. But alternative medicine has many supporters in Cuba.
Natural medicine is less toxic and has a medical basis.
We do not accept anything that does not have a scientific basis. Among other things, Acosta said, alternative medicine can complement conventional medical practices. He said that many, ranging from thyroid to breast cancer procedures, were conducted last year using acupuncture instead of anesthesia. Anthony Kirkpatrick, an assistant professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa who has studied Cuba's health care system extensively, said that herbal medicine can be of value, if only for psychological reasons. It is something.