Sick abroad

Suddenly sick while staying abroad? Drugs are out of stock?

If you are in the United States and you are not EU, Australian or other developed countries' citizen, probably it is the most unlucky situation. Your life will become a quest to get help from your insurance company in order to be able to enter a hospital. Americans themselves always agree that their "world's best" health care system is in critical conditions. Philippe Garcia, 26, Colombia, fall and broke his leg, while working on clock in California. His employer refuse to pay for first aid treatment, motivating it as "he was not supposed to walk in that way at that moment". His insurance company back at home promised to return him money for surgery and medicals. Philippe had to rely on himself in order to pay for transportation to the hospital, consultations with doctor, X-ray examinations, etc.

No matter where you are from, get sick in Russia will cost you a lot of patience. While free for Russian citizens it will cost relatively few for foreigners. Closed for decades in the past, country is using old USSR's medical care system, which is now in stage of prolonged reform. Zemfira Khabulina, 35, Tajikistan is telling her story:

"I decide to went to Russia after my husband found a well paid job here. I have staid for some time, got to know something about people and life here. When I felt acute pain in my chest I decide to go to hospital immediately. I was aware of not friendly stuff in the hospital and a lot of paper works, but I could not imagine it will be that slow. After I arrive they told me I should pass several tests before I can have a consultation with doctor. Those included: HIV test, RW blood test, dermatologist inspection, gynecological examination and chest X-ray. All of them I could pass only the next day in the morning. I went home, and tried to use painkillers. Next morning I passed all the tests, and to my amazement the results could be ready only after five days and then I can visit doctor. I was told to call 001 in case of emergency and went home".

In China quality of medical care vary from province to provice. Helth care is public and most of the hospitals run by government. Foreigners visiting chinese hospitals get same treatment as chinese nationals not more and not less. Consultation to the doctor is free for both aliens and citizens, while drugs and laboratory tests are paid at the same rates.