| The rural hospitals and health posts in Cuba provide health coverage to areas having a widespread population of 5000 to 20000 people and are situated where they are most accessible (which may technically be defined as an urban centre) to the people they serve. Staff, facilities, equipment, and services provided by the rural hospitals are detailed, and health care coverage is illustrated through a description of the predominantly rural region of Escambray. This region encompasses 3860 km2 with 209897 inhabitants, 60% of whom are rural. The region's health network includes: one regional general hospital, six polyclinics, two area hospitals, six rural hospitals, nine rural health posts, one medical post, one maternal care centre, and 29 pharmacies. The number and kind of health services that were provided in 1971 are set forth in simplified and easy-to-read statistics and charts. As of January 1960 newly graduated physicians, dentists, and paramedicals are compelled to practice for a designated period of time in the country's rural areas. |