U.S. Medical Students Begin Exchange Program in Cuba

A group of 23 U.S. medical students began studying Spanish in Cuba this week as part of a six-year program designed to provide low-income minorities a free education at Cuban medical schools, the AP/New York Times reports (AP/New York Times, 8/29). Under a plan formalized earlier this year by Cuban President Fidel Castro and members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Cuba agreed to give 500 U.S. students medical training, medical textbooks, uniforms, meals and housing. Half of the students will be black, and all students will be between the ages of 18 and 25, have a high school diploma and successfully complete academic and physical examinations (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 2/20/01). The Cuban government pays for and runs the program. The new students are studying at the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana with more than 6,000 medical students from 24 other countries (AP/New York Times, 8/29).