Cuba:Cultural and Social Norms
Cubans are known to be open-minded and friendly in their approach to people and issues. The country is also predominantly a mix of different ethnicities. The mix attributes to Cuba being a multicultural country as different cultures are represented (“Cultural Information – Cuba | Centre for Intercultural Learning”, 2018). Religion plays a significant role in the cultural attributes of any community. Religion gives direction and impacts how people do the things they do as regards beliefs and values. Religious people are thus more likely to have beliefs and values that align with spirituality. In most instances, religion positively impacts people and, by extension, the community. Cuba openly practices religion (“Cultural Information – Cuba | Centre for Intercultural Learning”, 2018), which translates to Cubans having a belief and value system.
The openness, friendliness, casual, and laid back culture also makes it possible for foreigners to fit in easily. Such an attribute means that people seeking to work in Cuba would have an easier time assimilating into the Cuban culture. These attributes are thus not only beneficial to foreigners visiting the country but Cuba as well. Relationships also are central to Cuban culture and social norms. Relationship building is, in this regard, a crucial aspect that overrides professionalism. It, therefore, means that Cubans value relationship building at a personal level more than they value relationship building at a professional level (“Cultural Information – Cuba | Centre for Intercultural Learning”, 2018). This aspect translates to service delivery being person-centered, for example. Such an attribute would thus ensure that individuals seeking services, for example, in the health care sector, get quality efficient, satisfactory service.
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Health Care Systems
Cuba has a robust health care system that is community-based as opposed to a health care organization based. It, therefore, means that unlike many countries that focus on hospitals as the central system of health care services, Cuba focuses on community health as its primary system of health care services. Health care involves disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. It thus means that disease prevention would significantly reduce the need for health care as far as treatment is concerned. Cuba understands the essence of disease prevention and thus centers its health care efforts on the aspect. Cuba also understands that disease prevention is most effective at the community level. In this regard, disease prevention efforts are focused on the community. As a result, Cuba has one of the best vaccination and life expectancy rates in the world (Farouq, 2019).
Health care services provided in hospitals are not only sometimes inaccessible but also disconnected from the patients. To overcome disconnect and close the accessibility gap, Cuba offers services at the community level. A ratio of 7.59 physicians per 1,000 patients is observed (Farouq, 2019). Community health practice not only promotes health care access but also encourages the communal patient-doctor relationship. Medical students in Cuba are thus required to complete a family practice residency, which is in line with the country’s communal health care system (Farouq, 2019). Training of Venezuelan doctors is a testament to the country’s contribution to global health (Francis, 2011, p6).
Being a government-controlled sector, the health care sector in Cuba had defied the odds of lousy governance associated with government-controlled health care systems. Cuba’s health care system ranks as one of the top systems in the world despite having a government-controlled system. It is thus something that Western and first world countries can learn from. Developing countries can also learn from the thriving community-based health care system.
Singapore
Cultural and Social Norms
Singapore culture is highly diverse due to its attribute as a trading hub. Even though discrimination is still prevalent, the country is highly culturally diverse. Religion is, for example, diverse, with more than five religions practiced in the country. As mentioned earlier, religion plays a significant role in the way people do things. Religion is considerably associated with values and ethics. Both of these attributes are essential in the provision of quality health care. The use of different languages means that communication is made more effortless in the country. Foreigners in this regard have different languages in use that make stay in the country better. It is interesting to note that over half of the workforce in the country is foreign (“Local Customs and Culture in Singapore | InterNations GO!”, 2019). It is indicative of a culture that is accommodative of other cultures.
Public drunkenness, jaywalking, smoking, and drug use are not allowed as they are considered social menaces. The fact that a jail term is possible means that the country holds its moral values in high regard. These behaviors are not deemed socially acceptable hence foreigners have to be well versed with the laws. Since different religions such as Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, to name a few exist, it means that the country is tolerant of different norms and beliefs. Tolerance translates to a society that is open-minded and accommodative. Such an environment makes working, for example, in the health care industry productive. Having a linear belief and cultural system hinders openness and accommodativeness. Working in such an environment proves challenging to individuals from different cultures. It is, therefore, not surprising that Singapore’s workforce is predominantly foreigner based.
Health Care Systems
Singapore’s health care system is ranked highly globally due to its efficient and quality based nature. While the health care system in other countries such as the U.S. is privately run and public-funded, Singapore’s system is public run and privately funded. It, therefore, means that hospitals in the country are predominantly public facilities. Government-run organizations are perceived to be mismanaged and lacking in quality and efficiency. However, this is not the case in the country as a majority of individuals prefer to seek medical attention from public health facilities. Only a few seek attention in the private facilities, with a majority reverting to public health care due to its affordability (Carroll, 2019). It is important to note that services are not only affordable but of excellent quality as well. Government running means that drug and technology use is strictly determined by the government as well. It thus means that the government is able to subsidize medication and health services as best as possible. Subsidies automatically translate to affordable health care services.
The country promotes healthy living by advocating against smoking, drug abuse, and alcoholism, as mentioned earlier. It not only encourages social etiquette but ultimately supports healthy living. Healthy living means that the population has a low cigarette, alcohol, and drug-related illnesses. School lunches have been made available, drinking water is promoted, and sugar levels are controlled in drinks. Vaccination, sanitation, and prenatal care efforts have significantly impacted Singapore’s health as a country. As such, life expectancy has increased over the years (Carroll, 2019). The country is evidence of good governance in health care systems Francis, 2011, p8). Trust and faith in the government means that the public has confidence in its public health care system, as is the case with Singapore.
Israel
Cultural and Social Norms
Israel is a country that enjoys cultural diversity due to its large number of immigrants who got to Israel in the early decades. These immigrants brought with them cultures and norms from the countries they came from. As a result, the country enjoys an array of cultural and social norms. In this regard, the country is accommodative and open to different cultures. Working in the country as a foreigner is hence made easier due to the diversity. Religion plays a significant role in the country, which is predominantly Jewish. The predominant religion is Judaism though other faiths such as Islam and Christianity exist as well (El-Saba, 2017). Family is also held in high regard, and as such, the country is family-oriented. Societal norms and functions are thus predominantly family-oriented. Israel maintains its societal norms and values in high regard. It, therefore, means that as a society, values that promote excellence and quality are evident.
Since religion plays a significant role in the communities and society at large, ascribe to values such as honesty and service to others. These ultimately translate to excellent service delivery that is people-oriented. Being a family-oriented country means that cultural and social norms are taught and instilled at a family level. The following result affects both the community and society at large. Food, music, dance, and art showcase the country’s culture. Diversity promotes not only cohesive and peaceful living between people from varying cultures but also encourages open-mindedness.
Health Care Systems
Israelis health care system is one of the best in the world. Life expectancy is high with low, low infant mortality rates. The country is ranked at position ten globally on the healthiest country list. It means that Israel citizens boast of excellent health (“Guide to Health Insurance and Healthcare System in Israel | InterNations GO!”, 2019). Quality and efficiency are also top-notch with some of the most qualified doctors working in the country. The country embraces technology, which plays a significant role in the delivery of health care services. As such, the health care facilities in the country are modern with quality services. Every citizen is required to have a medical cover that covers various functions such as surgery, transplant, diagnosis, mental health care, to name a few.
It is interesting to note that funding of health care facilities comes from taxes as little as 3.1% paid by employees and self-employed people (“Guide to Health Insurance and Healthcare System in Israel | InterNations GO!”, 2019). For such a low tax amount, the country puts to good use the taxes paid. Health insurance can be both private and public. Benefits, however, differ depending on the type of coverage an individual has. Every individual is expected to sign up for one of four health funds in the country. Such a requirement translates to every person having access to medical services regardless of economic status. Accessibility and affordability are two aspects well taken care of by the health system in the country. These attributes automatically translate to low levels of mortality and high life expectancy rates. Medical access and affordability equally translate to increased health. Quality and efficient medical services are attributes synonymous with Israel’s health care system. For any health care system to realize top-notch effects, quality, affordability, efficiency, and access have to be considered.
References
Carroll, A. (2019). What Can the U.S. Health System Learn From Singapore?. Nytimes.com.
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Cultural Information – Cuba | Centre for Intercultural Learning. Global Affairs Canada. (2018).
Retrieved 23 March 2020, from https://www.international.gc.ca/cil-cai/country_insights-apercus_pays/ci-ic_cu.aspx?lang=eng.
El-Saba, A. (2017). Israel: Culture and Tradition – Globalization Partners International.
Globalization Partners International. Retrieved 23 March 2020, from https://www.globalizationpartners.com/2017/11/07/israel-culture-and-tradition/.
Farouq, S. (2019). Cuba’s Healthcare System: A Political, Social, and Economic Revolution –
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(2019). Retrieved 23 March 2020, from https://www.internations.org/go/moving-to-israel/healthcare.
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