Healthcare in Russia
The standard of healthcare in Russia, much like that of the education system, has declined markedly since the end of the Soviet Union.
The World Health Organization (WHO) pinned the nation’s level of medical care as one of the worst in the industrialised world in their most recently released world report, and the life expectancy of both males and females continues to decline.
Furthermore, corruption among the state healthcare system’s doctors and nurses is widespread, many demanding bribes for treatment and consultation that’s allegedly free under the state insurance system.
It goes without saying then, that expats should utilise private facilities in Russia, and organise some form of private health insurance that includes emergency evacuation to Finland, if need be.
Though once heralded as one of the best healthcare systems in the world, and though world-class innovation has stemmed from the minds of Russian healthcare professionals (most notably, laser eye surgery), public healthcare in Russia is supremely underfunded and substandard.
Facilities are poor, supplies can be scarce, waiting times are always long and creature comforts non-existent. One expat even reported that in the state system, food and linen must be provided by a patient’s family during the course of a hospital stay.
Furthermore, many of the health professionals in the Russian public system don’t speak English, a sizeable challenge for expats who need to communicate about a matter as urgent as their health.
Treatment in the public sector is supposed to be free of charge for all Russian citizens and expats with permanent residency, but often, doctors and nurses will withhold proper care unless they receive a sufficient bribe.
In Russia’s larger cities, like Moscow and St. Petersburg, there are a large number of private health centres and polyclinics, many of which claim English-speaking staff.
These facilities are of a much higher-standard than their public counterparts, but are also comparably more expensive. It’s vital expats have adequate health insurance, either organised through their employer or organised independently, to cover the hefty fees. Do be sure your insurance covers the specific facility you’d most likely visit, as many policies will only cover specific hospitals and clinics.
Also, do note that no strong relationship exists between price and quality. The most expensive clinic may not be the best, and it’s best to source recommendations from other expats, your employer, your relocation agency or reputable forums.
Expats living in rural Russia, will struggle to find internationally recognised private facilities, and may need to travel to the nearest city to receive reliable treatment.
There are a healthy assortment of pharmacies (“aptekas”) in Russia, some operating out of larger supermarkets, some existing as stand-alone bodies and some setting down roots in cyberspace as ePharmacies.
The larger cities will have a few 24-hour pharmacies, and to find an all-night operation in your area, it’s best to simply ask.
Be sure to learn the generic name of medications you take regularly, in Russia, the big brand names may not be available (i.e. Tylenol), but the generic most certainly will (i.e. Ibuprofen).
Safe drinking water is a concern of many expats moving to Russia, and while many establishments in the country have their own water filtration systems, it’s still advised to consume bottled water, rather than tap water.
St. Petersburg in particular is known for having giardia, a parasite that can cause unpleasant intestinal infection, and other contaminants in the system, especially during summer time.
The World Health Organization (WHO) pinned the nation’s level of medical care as one of the worst in the industrialised world in their most recently released world report, and the life expectancy of both males and females continues to decline.Furthermore, corruption among the state healthcare system’s doctors and nurses is widespread, many demanding bribes for treatment and consultation that’s allegedly free under the state insurance system.
It goes without saying then, that expats should utilise private facilities in Russia, and organise some form of private health insurance that includes emergency evacuation to Finland, if need be.
Public healthcare in Russia
Though once heralded as one of the best healthcare systems in the world, and though world-class innovation has stemmed from the minds of Russian healthcare professionals (most notably, laser eye surgery), public healthcare in Russia is supremely underfunded and substandard.
Facilities are poor, supplies can be scarce, waiting times are always long and creature comforts non-existent. One expat even reported that in the state system, food and linen must be provided by a patient’s family during the course of a hospital stay.
Furthermore, many of the health professionals in the Russian public system don’t speak English, a sizeable challenge for expats who need to communicate about a matter as urgent as their health.
Treatment in the public sector is supposed to be free of charge for all Russian citizens and expats with permanent residency, but often, doctors and nurses will withhold proper care unless they receive a sufficient bribe.
Private healthcare in Russia
In Russia’s larger cities, like Moscow and St. Petersburg, there are a large number of private health centres and polyclinics, many of which claim English-speaking staff.
These facilities are of a much higher-standard than their public counterparts, but are also comparably more expensive. It’s vital expats have adequate health insurance, either organised through their employer or organised independently, to cover the hefty fees. Do be sure your insurance covers the specific facility you’d most likely visit, as many policies will only cover specific hospitals and clinics.
Also, do note that no strong relationship exists between price and quality. The most expensive clinic may not be the best, and it’s best to source recommendations from other expats, your employer, your relocation agency or reputable forums.
Expats living in rural Russia, will struggle to find internationally recognised private facilities, and may need to travel to the nearest city to receive reliable treatment.
Pharmacies in Russia
There are a healthy assortment of pharmacies (“aptekas”) in Russia, some operating out of larger supermarkets, some existing as stand-alone bodies and some setting down roots in cyberspace as ePharmacies.The larger cities will have a few 24-hour pharmacies, and to find an all-night operation in your area, it’s best to simply ask.
Be sure to learn the generic name of medications you take regularly, in Russia, the big brand names may not be available (i.e. Tylenol), but the generic most certainly will (i.e. Ibuprofen).
Health concerns in Russia
Safe drinking water is a concern of many expats moving to Russia, and while many establishments in the country have their own water filtration systems, it’s still advised to consume bottled water, rather than tap water.
St. Petersburg in particular is known for having giardia, a parasite that can cause unpleasant intestinal infection, and other contaminants in the system, especially during summer time.
