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Medical Care
Medical care in Ukraine is evolving, complicated, and, at times, startling.
Under the Soviet Union, medical care was free and completely controlled
by the government. The Soviet system trained doctors for a short time
period in a highly specialized field. Thus, there are no general practitioners
or family doctors like in the USA. If you are ill, you should guess at
what is wrong and go to that kind of specialist. If you guess wrong, you
will get to go to another doctor. Today, the Soviet system continues.
At the same time, a few private clinics have opened.
The government system works by the patient going to a clinic in their
area during a time the doctor is working (usually a doctor works 2-3 days
a week in the morning, the other days in the afternoon). No appointments
are made. You just show up, get in line, and wait. Some doctors have “pay”
hours if you are not from that area. The quality of medical facilities
is quite poor. It may not feel very clean or sanitary but generally, it’s
OK. The bedside manner of government doctors is usually much more brusque
that American doctors.
Private clinics usually require an appointment and often order lots of
lab work. Their facilities are usually new and often have more modern
equipment. The quality or qualifications of the doctor, though, may be
the same as in the government clinic. Since these clinics work on a for-profit
basis and do not accept international insurance, you feel their desire
to get your money. Sometimes, this can mean you pay much more for unnecessary
tests. The American Medical Center (490-7600) is the most expensive of
this league, but their doctors have received some training outside Ukraine
and speak English. Medikom (432-8888 or 055) can provide ambulance service
and Omega Kyiv Clinic provides quality urological and gynecological care.
Boris Medical Clinic has also been used. The German-Ukrainian Clinic is
to be avoided; it’s a money pit.
However, none of these private clinics operate emergency rooms or provide
trauma care. Thus, while in Ukraine, it’s best not to do foolish things
that could easily cause serious injury. Be safe! Trauma care is available
but it is one of the least developed aspects of Ukrainian medical care.
Generally, no prescription is required to purchase medicines in Ukraine.
An apteka, or a pharmacy, is easy to find. Allergy medicines like Claritin
as well as antibiotics (including Cipro and penicillin) are available
and just as effective as US or European manufactured drugs. There are
often weaker Ukrainian versions at a substantially lower cost.
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