The University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System and the Cuban Ministry of Health kicked off a two-year initiative aimed at sharing best practices in providing community-based care. The goal is to reduce infant mortality rates, as well as improve maternal health and cancer screening.
Cuba, which offers universal healthcare, has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world with an estimated 4.5 deaths for every 1,000 live birth in 2016. The U.S., meanwhile, has one of the highest infant mortality rates among wealthy nations, at 5.8 deaths for every 1,000.
Cuban doctors are considered extraordinarily competent despite using outdated equipment and medical treatments and lacking financial support.
