QUALITY HEALTHCARE

If health care is a concern for you, you can be assured that Uruguay has good quality health care, both public and private, throughout the country. This aspect of life in Uruguay often factors high in the positives list for expats who chose to move to the country.

The public healthcare service is available to all its residents and provides free public hospital service throughout the country. A free emergency ambulance service is available under the system, and initial treatment and medication is free of charge, however, ongoing treatment will incur a fee, which is calculated depending on the level of treatment required.

While the public health care system is said to operate to a good standard, many expats opt to pay for a medical coverage scheme at one of the many high-standard private hospitals. These types of schemes are offered as an alternative to traditional medical insurance, and, depending on the hospital and level of coverage offered, typically cover treatment and medication within that hospital, and often visits to pre-appointed GPs outside of the hospital.

Hospital Britanico, beside the Tres Cruces bus terminal just outside the Montevideo's city center is the best hospital in the country, and is regarded very highly by international standards. The doctors here are English-speaking and well trained.

Hospital Britanico Av. Italia 2420, Montevideo, Uruguay
tel. (598-2)487-1020; fax (598-2)487-4080
e-mail: info@hospitalbritanico.org.uy
website: www.hospitalbritanico.org.uy/english

Other highly recommended hospitals include the following:

Hospital Italiano, Boulevard Artigas 1632, Montevideo; tel. (598-2)47-97-17; fax: (598-2)47-40-80.

Hospital Español, Avda. Garibaldi, 1729, Entre Rocha y Pando, Montevideo; tel. (598-2)203-58-21.

Sanatorio Mautone, Avda. Roosevelt y Camacho, Punta del Este, Maldonado 20100; tel. (598-42)28-558/25-353; fax: (598-42)31-243.

You'll find pharmacies (in Uruguay farmacia or quimica) scattered throughout the country, and often in supermarkets. Pharmacists are highly trained and extremely helpful.

A high percentage of drugs are available without prescription, and they are made to a good quality. Most drugs for sale in the U.S. and Europe are available here.