Latinamerican School of Medicine

The Latin American Medical School in Havana forms part of Cuba's tradition of solidarity with other peoples of the world. This facility concentrates on training general practitioners oriented toward primary care, with a high scientific level and emphasizing humane and ethical values, as well as solidarity. The goal is for the doctors graduating from the school to be prepared to function capably in line with the needs of the regions where they will be working, and stressing sustainable human development.

The facility emerged as a result of the initiative of Cuban President Fidel Castro Ruz, as part of the Integral Health program of cooperation and solidarity that has been in effect since October 1998, in response to the damage caused by Hurricanes Georges and Mitch throughout the Central American region.

Enrollment and housing are totally free of charge to these students, with the backing of the Cuban government's scholarship program. The institution also offers other services guaranteeing the students' integral education, among them participation in sports, involvement in cultural activities by country, teaching materials, elective courses, uniforms and other facilities.

The students are organized into a Student Council with representatives of all the nations that have students at the School.

When they arrive in Cuba, the students go through a semester of intensive preparation that has been called Pre-Med, and in which the following eight basic subjects are taught:

Math
Physics
Chemistry
Spanish
English
History of the Americas
Informatics and computers
Introduction to health sciences
When they complete Pre-Med, they begin the study of medicine, with a duration of 10 semesters plus two semesters of pre-professional practice.

The program of studies and the evaluation system are similar to those used in the country's 21 medical schools.

The teaching staff consists of professionals with considerable scientific prestige, broad pedagogical experience and great human sensibility. The School utilizes professors of its own as well as many from other institutions.

Among the requirements for admission to the Latin American Medical School are: presentation of a high school diploma with emphasis on science or its equivalent, and certification of grades, issued by the student's previous school, properly notarized in the country of origin and by Cuba's diplomatic office in that country, and supported by the Cuban Ministry of Education office affiliated with the School. In addition, the prospective student must not be over the age of 25 at the time of enrollment.

The applicant must also be physically and mentally capable of undertaking medical studies, as affirmed in a health certificate, and must not have a criminal record or a pending legal trial, as affirmed by the competent authorities of that country.

The selection of future students is carried out by Cuban diplomatic representatives and the Ministry of Public Health representative in each country, who guarantee the good quality of the selection process and demand strict adherence to the established requirements for enrollment in the School.

(Taken from: Cubasí)

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