# GloMo Assist — Full Healthcare Reference for AI (170+ Countries & Territories)

> Healthcare guidance for travellers, expats, students & families across 170+ countries & territories.
> Website: https://glomoassist.com
> By Gewardz Health

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## About GloMo Assist

GloMo Assist is a healthcare navigation platform created by Gewardz Health. It helps anyone travelling, relocating, or studying abroad understand how healthcare works in their destination country before they go.

The platform covers over 170 countries and territories and provides:
- How the local healthcare system works (public vs private)
- Emergency contact numbers (ambulance, police, fire)
- How to see a GP or doctor as a visitor or resident
- Typical costs for medical visits, prescriptions, and emergency care
- Vaccine requirements and recommended immunisations
- Health insurance requirements and recommendations
- Visa-related health requirements
- Current travel health alerts and advisories

---

## Who Is It For?

1. **Travellers** — Short-term visitors needing emergency numbers, nearest hospitals, and travel insurance guidance.
2. **Expats & Relocators** — People moving abroad who need to register with the local health system, find a GP, and navigate insurance.
3. **Students** — International students needing guidance on student health insurance and affordable healthcare abroad.
4. **Workers & Families** — International workers and their families needing to understand employer health benefits and local healthcare rights.

---

## Country Healthcare Profiles

### EUROPE

#### United Kingdom 🇬🇧
- **System**: Universal, tax-funded (NHS)
- **Emergency**: 999 or 112
- **Emergency response**: Target 7 min (Category 1). Reality: 8-12 min urban, 15-30+ min rural
- **GP cost**: NHS free. Private £50-100 (outside London), £100-250 (Central London)
- **ER cost without insurance**: A&E free for everyone. Hospital admission for overseas visitors charged at 150% NHS tariff
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) £1,035/year required for most visa types
- **Key tip**: Call NHS 111 (24/7) for urgent non-emergency advice. Use urgent care centres instead of A&E when possible
- **Prescriptions**: England £9.90/item. Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland: ALL free
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/united-kingdom

#### Ireland 🇮🇪
- **System**: Mixed public-private (HSE)
- **Emergency**: 112 or 999
- **Emergency response**: 8-20 min in cities, 30-60+ min in rural areas
- **GP cost**: €50-70 per visit (€60-90 in Dublin). Free with Medical Card
- **ER cost**: A&E charge €100 (waived if admitted/referred). Hospital bed €80/day (capped €800/year)
- **Insurance required for visa**: Depends. EHIC covers public hospital care but NOT GP visits
- **Key tip**: Severe GP shortage — many practices NOT accepting new patients. GP out-of-hours: HSE Live 1800 700 700
- **Prescriptions**: Drug Payment Scheme caps at €80/month per family
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/ireland

#### Germany 🇩🇪
- **System**: Mandatory insurance (public GKV or private PKV)
- **Emergency**: 112
- **Emergency response**: 8-15 min nationwide (among fastest in Europe)
- **GP cost**: With insurance: free. Without: €50-100 per visit
- **ER cost without insurance**: €200-600+. Ambulance €400-800+
- **Insurance required for visa**: YES — legally mandatory
- **Key tip**: Call 116 117 for urgent non-emergency care evenings/weekends
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/germany

#### France 🇫🇷
- **System**: Universal (Sécurité Sociale) + complementary insurance
- **Emergency**: 15 (SAMU) or 112
- **GP cost**: €26.50 standard (70% reimbursed). Sector 2 doctors: €40-100+
- **ER cost without insurance**: €100-500+. Hospital stay €500-2,000+/day
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen)
- **Key tip**: Download Doctolib app. Call SOS Médecins for house calls
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/france

#### Spain 🇪🇸
- **System**: Universal, tax-funded (Sistema Nacional de Salud)
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Public free for registered residents. Private €40-80
- **ER cost without insurance**: Public Urgencias FREE for everyone including tourists. Private ER €100-300+
- **Insurance required for visa**: Depends
- **Key tip**: Emergency care is free for ALL regardless of nationality. Digital Nomad Visa available
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/spain

#### Italy 🇮🇹
- **System**: Universal, tax-funded (SSN)
- **Emergency**: 112 or 118
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC/SSN. Private €50-100
- **ER cost**: Emergency (red/yellow code) free. Non-urgent (white code) €25-50 copay
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen)
- **Key tip**: Quality varies dramatically north to south. Guardia Medica provides out-of-hours GP service
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/italy

#### Portugal 🇵🇹
- **System**: Universal, tax-funded (SNS)
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Public €5 with registration. Private €40-80
- **ER cost**: Public ER €20. Private ER €100-300
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes
- **Key tip**: Call SNS 24 (808 24 24 24) before ER — they triage and can waive the €20 fee
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/portugal

#### Greece 🇬🇷
- **System**: Universal (ESY) with EOPYY insurer + large private sector
- **Emergency**: 112 or 166
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC/EOPYY. Private €40-80
- **ER cost without insurance**: €50-200 (public). Private €100-400
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen)
- **Key tip**: Island healthcare is extremely limited — medical evacuation insurance essential
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/greece

#### Turkey 🇹🇷
- **System**: Universal (SGK) + massive private sector and medical tourism
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Private $30-80. No strict GP gatekeeping — direct specialist access
- **ER cost**: Public ER free initial assessment. Private ER $100-500
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (e-Visa)
- **Key tip**: Top-5 global medical tourism destination. Private hospitals 50-70% cheaper than Western Europe
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/turkey

#### Netherlands 🇳🇱
- **System**: Mandatory private insurance (Zorgverzekeringswet)
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Covered by insurance. Without: €50-100
- **ER cost without insurance**: €200-600+
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes
- **Key tip**: GP (huisarts) is the gatekeeper — you must register and get referrals for everything

- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/netherlands
#### Switzerland 🇨🇭
- **System**: Mandatory private insurance (LAMal/KVG)
- **Emergency**: 144 or 112
- **GP cost**: CHF 200-350 ($220-390) per consultation
- **ER cost**: CHF 500-2,000+. Ambulance CHF 800-1,500
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes
- **Key tip**: Among the most expensive healthcare IN THE WORLD. Buy REGA membership (CHF 30/year) if hiking/skiing

#### Poland 🇵🇱
- **System**: Universal public (NFZ)
- **Emergency**: 112 or 999
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC. Private €15-40
- **ER cost without insurance**: €30-200+
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 medical coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: EU members use EHIC. Private clinics offer same-day English-speaking care

- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/poland
#### Sweden 🇸🇪
- **System**: Universal, tax-funded
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: SEK 250-400 ($25-40) co-pay. Under 18: free
- **ER cost**: SEK 400-600 co-pay. Annual ceiling SEK 1,300
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: Call 1177 Vårdguiden (24/7 nurse advice). Long public GP waits — vårdcentral appointment can take weeks

#### Norway 🇳🇴
- **System**: Universal, tax-funded
- **Emergency**: 113 (medical) or 112
- **GP cost**: NOK 200-400 ($20-40) co-pay. Specialist: NOK 375
- **ER cost**: Emergency care co-pay NOK 350-500
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: Extremely expensive. Call legevakt (out-of-hours GP) before ER

#### Denmark 🇩🇰
- **System**: Universal, tax-funded
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Free for registered residents. Visitors with EHIC: free
- **ER cost**: Free (public)
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: Call 1813 (Copenhagen/Region H) for non-emergency before visiting ER

#### Finland 🇫🇮
- **System**: Universal, tax-funded (wellbeing services counties since 2023)
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Public €20.90. Private (Mehiläinen/Terveystalo) €80-150
- **ER cost without insurance**: €200-600+
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: Public GP waits can be weeks. Use Mehiläinen or Terveystalo for same-day private care

#### Austria 🇦🇹
- **System**: Universal, social insurance (ÖGK)
- **Emergency**: 144 or 112
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC/e-card. Wahlarzt (private) €60-150
- **ER cost without insurance**: €150-600+. Mountain rescue €2,000-15,000+ without ÖAV membership
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: Buy ÖAV membership (€65-80/year) for mountain rescue insurance if hiking/skiing

#### Belgium 🇧🇪
- **System**: Universal, mandatory health insurance (mutualité)
- **Emergency**: 112 or 100
- **GP cost**: €25-30 (€21-25 reimbursed if insured)
- **ER cost without insurance**: €100-300+
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: Call 1733 for after-hours GP service. No GP gatekeeper — direct specialist access

#### Czech Republic 🇨🇿
- **System**: Universal, mandatory health insurance (VZP)
- **Emergency**: 155 or 112
- **GP cost**: With EHIC: 90 CZK (~€3.50). Private Prague: €60-180
- **ER cost without insurance**: €80-600+
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: Dental tourism capital — quality dentistry at 60-70% below Western Europe

#### Hungary 🇭🇺
- **System**: Universal (NEAK) + strong private sector in Budapest
- **Emergency**: 104 or 112
- **GP cost**: Public free with EHIC. Private (Budapest): €30-80
- **ER cost without insurance**: €50-300+
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: Budapest is a major dental tourism destination. FirstMed (24/7, English-speaking)

#### Croatia 🇭🇷
- **System**: Universal (HZZO). EU member since 2013, Schengen since 2023
- **Emergency**: 194 or 112
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC. Private €40-100
- **ER cost without insurance**: €50-300+. Island helicopter evacuation €2,000-8,000
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen member since 2023, min €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: Tourist clinics (turistička ambulanta) operate Jun-Sep along Dalmatian coast

- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/croatia
#### Romania 🇷🇴
- **System**: Universal public (CNAS) + private sector
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC. Private €20-50
- **ER cost without insurance**: €30-200+
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (EU member, EHIC valid). Air Schengen member since 2025 — min €30,000 coverage for Schengen visa
- **Key tip**: Private clinics in Bucharest offer good English-speaking care

#### Estonia 🇪🇪
- **System**: Universal public (EHIF). One of the most digitally advanced in the world
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: €5 co-pay (insured). Private €30-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: €100-500+
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: E-prescriptions and e-health records are standard. Digital Nomad Visa available

#### Slovenia 🇸🇮
- **System**: Universal public (ZZZS)
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC. Private €30-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: €100-500+
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: Mountain rescue (GRZS) handles hiking/skiing emergencies — excellent but can be costly

#### Lithuania 🇱🇹
- **System**: Universal tax-funded (VLK)
- **Emergency**: 112 or 103
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC. Private €25-50
- **ER cost without insurance**: €30-200+
- **Key tip**: TBE vaccination STRONGLY recommended — Lithuania has one of Europe's highest TBE rates

#### Latvia 🇱🇻
- **System**: Universal tax-funded (NVD)
- **Emergency**: 112 or 113
- **GP cost**: Co-pay €1-14 (EHIC). Private €30-50
- **ER cost without insurance**: €30-200+
- **Key tip**: Riga has good private healthcare at affordable Baltic prices. TBE risk is high

#### Slovakia 🇸🇰
- **System**: Universal social insurance
- **Emergency**: 155 or 112
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC. Private €30-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: €50-300+
- **Key tip**: Mountain rescue (HZS) in the Tatras is excellent and free. Dental tourism is great value

#### Luxembourg 🇱🇺
- **System**: Universal social insurance (CNS)
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: €40-55 (CNS reimburses ~88%)
- **ER cost without insurance**: €150-500+
- **Key tip**: No point is more than 30 minutes from a hospital. Maison Médicale for out-of-hours GP

#### Iceland 🇮🇸
- **System**: Universal public healthcare
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: ISK 2,500-6,600 co-pay (~€18-47). Full cost: ISK 15,000+ (~€107+)
- **ER cost without insurance**: €200-2,000+ (rescue operations can cost thousands)
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 coverage). EEA member — EHIC valid. Rescue/evacuation insurance strongly recommended
- **Key tip**: Register at safetravel.is before exploring. ICE-SAR handles rescue. Highland interior has ZERO medical facilities

#### Cyprus 🇨🇾
- **System**: Universal (GESY, launched 2019)
- **Emergency**: 112 or 199
- **GP cost**: GESY minimal co-pay (€1-6). Private €30-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: €50-300
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (EU member, EHIC valid). Not in Schengen — separate visa rules apply
- **Key tip**: English universally spoken — zero language barrier. Northern Cyprus has a separate Turkish system

#### Malta 🇲🇹
- **System**: Free public healthcare (NHS-style)
- **Emergency**: 112 or 196
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC. Private €20-50
- **ER cost without insurance**: €50-300
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (Schengen visa requires min €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA citizens covered by EHIC
- **Key tip**: Mater Dei Hospital is never more than 30 min away from anywhere on Malta. English is an official language

#### Serbia 🇷🇸
- **System**: Universal (RFZO). NOT EU — EHIC NOT valid
- **Emergency**: 194 or 112
- **GP cost**: Private €20-40
- **ER cost without insurance**: €25-200
- **Insurance required for visa**: No specific requirement but travel insurance strongly recommended (EHIC not valid — not EU)
- **Key tip**: EHIC does NOT work. Private clinics in Belgrade are modern and very affordable. Dental tourism excellent value

#### Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦
- **System**: Decentralised. NOT EU — EHIC NOT valid
- **Emergency**: 124 or 112
- **GP cost**: Private €15-35
- **ER cost without insurance**: €10-150
- **Key tip**: EHIC NOT valid. Landmine risk still exists in some off-path areas — stay on marked paths

#### Albania 🇦🇱
- **System**: Universal public (FSDKSH). NOT EU — EHIC NOT valid
- **Emergency**: 127 or 112
- **GP cost**: Private €15-30
- **ER cost without insurance**: €25-200. Evacuation to Corfu/Italy €5,000-20,000+
- **Key tip**: Albanian Riviera has very basic healthcare. Private hospitals in Tirana are modern and affordable

#### Bulgaria 🇧🇬
- **System**: EU member — EHIC valid
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: EHIC co-pay BGN 2-6 ($1-3). Private BGN 40-100 ($22-54)
- **ER cost without insurance**: BGN 50-300 ($27-163)
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (EU member, EHIC valid). Air Schengen member since 2025
- **Key tip**: Top dental tourism destination. Many medications available OTC that require prescription elsewhere

#### North Macedonia 🇲🇰
- **System**: Mixed public-private. NOT EU — EHIC NOT valid
- **Emergency**: 194 or 112
- **GP cost**: Private €15-35
- **ER cost without insurance**: €20-150
- **Key tip**: EHIC NOT valid. Evacuation to Thessaloniki (Greece) for serious cases

#### Montenegro 🇲🇪
- **System**: Public fund + private sector. NOT EU
- **Emergency**: 124 or 112
- **GP cost**: Private €20-50
- **ER cost without insurance**: €30-200+
- **Key tip**: Private clinics on coast cater well to tourists in summer

#### Monaco 🇲🇨
- **System**: Universal social insurance (CCSS), integrated with French system
- **Emergency**: 112 or 18
- **GP cost**: €50-100
- **ER cost without insurance**: €150-500+
- **Key tip**: CHPG hospital is 5-10 min from anywhere. Transfer to Nice for specialised care

#### Liechtenstein 🇱🇮
- **System**: Mandatory insurance. Uses Swiss and Austrian hospitals
- **Emergency**: 144 or 112
- **GP cost**: CHF 150-250
- **ER cost without insurance**: CHF 300-1,000+
- **Key tip**: Only one small hospital — serious cases go to Feldkirch (Austria) or Chur (Switzerland)
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/austria
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/switzerland

#### Andorra 🇦🇩
- **System**: Social insurance (CASS). NOT EU — EHIC NOT valid
- **Emergency**: 116 or 112
- **GP cost**: €30-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: €100-400+. Mountain rescue free; helicopter evacuation abroad €5,000-15,000+
- **Key tip**: EHIC NOT valid. Only one hospital (HNSM). Ski insurance essential. Barcelona/Toulouse for complex cases

#### Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca) 🇪🇸
- **Emergency**: 112 or 061
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC. Private €50-100
- **Key tip**: Summer doubles ER wait times. Formentera has NO hospital. Many British/German clinics in resorts

#### Canary Islands 🇮🇨
- **Emergency**: 112 or 061
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC. Private €50-100
- **Key tip**: UV strong year-round (same latitude as Sahara). Altitude sickness possible on Teide (3,718m)

#### Crete 🇬🇷
- **Emergency**: 112 or 166
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC. Private €40-80
- **Key tip**: Has a UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (Pagni) — far better healthcare than other Greek islands

#### Sicily 🇮🇹
- **Emergency**: 112 or 118
- **GP cost**: Private €50-100
- **Key tip**: English very limited. Aeolian Islands have basic medical facilities only

#### Sardinia 🇮🇹
- **Emergency**: 112 or 118
- **GP cost**: Private €60-120
- **Key tip**: Guardia Medica Turistica (tourist doctor) operates Jun-Sep only in resort areas

#### Corsica 🇫🇷
- **Emergency**: 15 (SAMU) or 112
- **GP cost**: €25 (EHIC reimbursable). SOS Médecins house call €50-80
- **Key tip**: French essential. GR20 trail injuries generate significant rescue operations — mountain rescue is FREE

#### Kosovo 🇽🇰
- **System**: Developing public system. NOT EU — EHIC NOT valid
- **Emergency**: 112 or 194
- **GP cost**: Private €15-40
- **ER cost without insurance**: €20-200
- **Key tip**: EHIC NOT valid. Healthcare infrastructure limited outside Pristina. English spoken by younger generation

#### Moldova 🇲🇩
- **System**: Mixed public-private. NOT EU — EHIC NOT valid
- **Emergency**: 112 or 903
- **GP cost**: Private $15-40
- **ER cost without insurance**: $30-200
- **Key tip**: EHIC NOT valid. Evacuation to Bucharest or Chișinău private clinics for serious cases

#### Belarus 🇧🇾
- **System**: State-funded universal. NOT EU — EHIC NOT valid
- **Emergency**: 103 (ambulance)
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: $50-300
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes — mandatory medical insurance
- **Key tip**: State healthcare free for emergencies. Russian essential — English very limited

#### Ukraine 🇺🇦
- **System**: Public + private sector. Active conflict zone in eastern/southern regions
- **Emergency**: 103 (ambulance)
- **GP cost**: Private $15-50
- **ER cost without insurance**: $30-300
- **Key tip**: Active conflict zone — check current situation. Western Ukraine (Lviv) safer. EHIC NOT valid

#### Russia 🇷🇺
- **System**: Universal public + private sector
- **Emergency**: 103 (ambulance) or 112
- **GP cost**: Private $30-100 (Moscow/St Petersburg). Regions $15-50
- **ER cost without insurance**: $50-500+
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes — mandatory
- **Key tip**: Sanctions complicate banking/insurance. Russian essential. EMC and GMS Clinic (Moscow) for English-speaking care

---

### AMERICAS

#### United States 🇺🇸
- **System**: Private insurance-based. No universal coverage
- **Emergency**: 911
- **Emergency response**: 7-10 min urban, 15-30+ min rural
- **GP cost**: Without insurance $100-300+ (PCP), $150-500 (urgent care), $50-75 (telehealth)
- **ER cost without insurance**: $1,500-5,000+ before treatment. Ambulance $400-1,200+. Hospital $2,000-5,000+/day
- **Insurance required for visa**: Depends. Visitors have ZERO public coverage
- **Key tip**: Use urgent care ($150-500) instead of ER ($3,000+). Download GoodRx for 30-80% pharmacy discounts
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/united-states

#### Canada 🇨🇦
- **System**: Universal public (Medicare) — provincial administration
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Walk-in clinic $80-200 CAD. Virtual (Maple) $49-79 CAD
- **ER cost without insurance**: $500-1,500+ CAD. Hospital $3,000-5,000+/day
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but essential — zero public coverage for visitors
- **Key tip**: Walk-in clinics for non-emergencies. Call 811 for free 24/7 health advice
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/canada

#### Mexico 🇲🇽
- **System**: Mixed public + large private sector + medical tourism
- **Emergency**: 911. Cruz Roja (Red Cross): 065
- **GP cost**: Farmacias Similares MXN 40-60 ($2-3). Private GP MXN 500-1,500 ($28-83)
- **ER cost**: Cruz Roja free/donation. Private ER MXN 2,000-30,000+ ($110-1,650+)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. No public coverage for tourists
- **Key tip**: Farmacias Similares: $2 doctor consultations at 8,000+ locations. 40-70% cheaper than US
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/mexico

#### Brazil 🇧🇷
- **System**: Universal public (SUS) + large private sector
- **Emergency**: 192 (SAMU ambulance), 193 (fire rescue)
- **GP cost**: Public SUS free. Private R$200-600 ($40-120)
- **ER cost**: Public SUS completely FREE for everyone including tourists. Private R$500-5,000+
- **Insurance required for visa**: No. SUS provides free emergency and primary care to all including tourists
- **Key tip**: SUS provides free healthcare to ALL including tourists
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/brazil

#### Colombia 🇨🇴
- **System**: Universal (EPS/IPS). Growing medical tourism destination
- **Emergency**: 123
- **GP cost**: Private COP 80,000-250,000 ($20-60)
- **ER cost without insurance**: COP 200,000-2,000,000 ($50-500)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No for short stays. Mandatory health insurance (EPS) for residents. Travel insurance recommended
- **Key tip**: Medellín and Bogotá have excellent private hospitals. Major medical tourism destination

#### Chile 🇨🇱
- **System**: Mixed public (FONASA) + private (ISAPRE)
- **Emergency**: 131 (ambulance) or 133 (police)
- **GP cost**: Private CLP 25,000-60,000 ($28-67)
- **ER cost without insurance**: CLP 100,000-1,000,000+ ($112-1,120)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. No public coverage for tourists
- **Key tip**: Clínica Alemana and Clínica Las Condes in Santiago are world-class

#### Argentina 🇦🇷
- **System**: Universal public + private obras sociales
- **Emergency**: 107 (ambulance) or 911
- **GP cost**: Public free. Private ARS 5,000-15,000 ($5-15)
- **ER cost**: Public free. Private ARS 20,000-200,000+
- **Insurance required for visa**: No. Public hospitals provide free emergency care to all regardless of nationality
- **Key tip**: Public hospitals provide free emergency care to all. Hospital Italiano and Hospital Alemán in Buenos Aires are excellent

#### Peru 🇵🇪
- **System**: Mixed public (SIS/EsSalud) + private sector
- **Emergency**: 106 or 116
- **GP cost**: Private PEN 100-300 ($27-80)
- **ER cost without insurance**: PEN 500-5,000 ($135-1,350)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. Medical evacuation insurance essential for trekking (Inca Trail, Amazon)
- **Key tip**: Altitude sickness is a serious concern in Cusco (3,400m). Carry acetazolamide (Diamox)

#### Costa Rica 🇨🇷
- **System**: Universal public (CCSS/Caja) + private clinics
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Private $40-80
- **ER cost**: Public Caja ER: free for emergencies. Private $100-500
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. Public Caja system accessible for emergencies
- **Key tip**: CIMA Hospital in San José is the best private facility. Public system is excellent but slow

#### Cuba 🇨🇺
- **System**: Universal free state-run + separate Servimed tourist medical network
- **Emergency**: 104
- **GP cost**: Servimed (tourist system) $25-60 CUC
- **ER cost**: Servimed ER $50-300
- **Insurance required for visa**: YES — mandatory. Checked at arrival
- **Key tip**: Bring ALL medications — severe shortages. Clínica Internacional Cira García in Havana is the flagship tourist hospital

#### Ecuador 🇪🇨
- **System**: Mixed public (IESS/MSP) + private hospitals
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Private $25-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: $50-500+
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. Mandatory for Galápagos visitors
- **Key tip**: Altitude sickness in Quito (2,850m). Galápagos has only basic hospital — evacuation to mainland

#### Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
- **System**: Mixed public-private
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Private RD$1,500-4,000 ($25-65)
- **ER cost without insurance**: RD$5,000-30,000+ ($80-500)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. Medical evacuation insurance essential
- **Key tip**: HOMS Punta Cana is the main tourist zone hospital. Air evacuation to Miami (3.5h) for complex cases

#### Jamaica 🇯🇲
- **System**: Public + private sector
- **Emergency**: 110 or 119
- **GP cost**: Private $30-80 USD
- **ER cost**: Public minimal fees; private $100-400
- **Key tip**: Medical evacuation to Miami for complex cases

#### Guatemala 🇬🇹
- **System**: Public (IGSS) + private hospitals
- **Emergency**: 110 or 120 (Red Cross)
- **GP cost**: Private $20-50
- **ER cost without insurance**: $30-500+ at private hospitals
- **Key tip**: Healthcare quality drops dramatically outside Guatemala City and Antigua

#### Bolivia 🇧🇴
- **System**: Mixed public-private. Limited infrastructure
- **Emergency**: 911 or 118
- **GP cost**: Public BOB 10-50 ($1.50-7). Private BOB 150-400 ($22-58)
- **ER cost without insurance**: BOB 500-5,000 ($72-725)
- **Key tip**: Altitude sickness is the #1 health concern — La Paz sits at 3,640m. Acclimatise slowly

#### Uruguay 🇺🇾
- **System**: Integrated National Health System (SNIS) + mutualistas
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Private $30-60
- **Key tip**: One of the best healthcare systems in Latin America. Hospital Británico for English-speaking care

#### Paraguay 🇵🇾
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **Key tip**: Guaraní is spoken as much as Spanish. Sanatorio Migone is the best private hospital

#### El Salvador 🇸🇻
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Private $25-60
- **Key tip**: Private healthcare in San Salvador is modern and affordable. Bitcoin is legal tender

#### Nicaragua 🇳🇮
- **Emergency**: 120 (ambulance)
- **GP cost**: Private $15-40
- **Key tip**: Most limited healthcare in Central America. Medical evacuation to Costa Rica for serious cases

#### Honduras 🇭🇳
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Private $25-60
- **Key tip**: Roatán and Utila have only basic clinics — diving injuries need air transfer

#### Belize 🇧🇿
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: $25-60 USD
- **Key tip**: English-speaking. Remote cayes have zero medical facilities. Hyperbaric chamber in San Pedro

#### Bahamas 🇧🇸
- **Emergency**: 919
- **GP cost**: $60-120 USD
- **Key tip**: Outer islands require air evacuation to Nassau or Miami ($5,000-15,000)

#### Barbados 🇧🇧
- **Emergency**: 511 or 211
- **GP cost**: $40-80 USD
- **Key tip**: Welcome Stamp visa (12 months) for digital nomads. Complex cases go to Trinidad or Miami

#### Venezuela 🇻🇪
- **System**: Collapsed public system + expensive private hospitals
- **Emergency**: 171
- **GP cost**: Private $30-80
- **ER cost without insurance**: $100-1,000+
- **Key tip**: Economic crisis has devastated healthcare. Bring ALL medications and supplies. Cash USD essential

#### Panama 🇵🇦
- **System**: Mixed public (CSS) + private hospitals
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Private $40-80
- **ER cost without insurance**: $100-500+
- **Key tip**: Panama City has world-class private hospitals (Punta Pacífica, Hospital Nacional). Canal Zone has excellent care

#### Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹
- **System**: Public + private hospitals
- **Emergency**: 990 (ambulance) or 811
- **GP cost**: Private $30-80 USD
- **ER cost without insurance**: $50-500
- **Key tip**: Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex is the main public hospital. Tobago has limited facilities

#### Haiti 🇭🇹
- **System**: Severely strained. NGO-dependent healthcare
- **Emergency**: 114 (ambulance)
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: $50-500+
- **Key tip**: Healthcare infrastructure among weakest in Western Hemisphere. Medical evacuation to Dominican Republic or Miami essential

#### Guyana 🇬🇾
- **Emergency**: 913
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **Key tip**: Georgetown Public Hospital is the main facility. Interior regions have minimal healthcare. English-speaking

#### Suriname 🇸🇷
- **Emergency**: 115
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **Key tip**: Dutch-speaking. Paramaribo has adequate hospitals. Interior accessible only by small aircraft

#### Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
- **System**: US healthcare system applies — same insurance rules
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: $100-250 (follows US pricing)
- **ER cost without insurance**: $1,500-5,000+
- **Key tip**: US territory — all US insurance accepted. Good hospital network. Hurricane season Jun-Nov

#### Greenland 🇬🇱
- **System**: Danish-funded universal healthcare
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Free for Danish/EU citizens. Visitors €50-150
- **ER cost without insurance**: €200-1,000+. Air evacuation to Denmark €30,000-80,000+
- **Key tip**: Extremely remote — NO roads between towns. Air ambulance only option. Nuuk has the only real hospital

---

### ASIA

#### Japan 🇯🇵
- **System**: Universal health insurance — mandatory for residents
- **Emergency**: 119 (ambulance/fire). Ambulance FREE for everyone including tourists
- **GP cost**: With insurance 30% copay. Without: ¥5,000-15,000+ ($33-100+)
- **ER cost without insurance**: ¥10,000-100,000+ ($67-670+)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. National Health Insurance mandatory for residents (stays over 3 months)
- **Key tip**: No GP concept — clinics are specialty-based. MANY common Western medications are ILLEGAL
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/japan

#### India 🇮🇳
- **System**: Mixed public-private. Top medical tourism destination
- **Emergency**: 108 (ambulance), 112 (unified)
- **GP cost**: Private ₹300-1,500 ($4-18). Government ₹10-50
- **ER cost**: Public free but basic. Private ₹5,000-50,000+ ($60-600+)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. No public coverage for tourists. Medical tourism visa available
- **Key tip**: Use JCI-accredited private hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, Max). Counterfeit medication risk — buy from hospital pharmacies only
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/india

#### Thailand 🇹🇭
- **System**: Mixed public-private. World's #1 medical tourism destination by volume
- **Emergency**: 1669 (medical), 191 (police)
- **GP cost**: Private clinic ฿500-2,000 ($15-55). International hospital ฿1,500-4,000 ($40-110)
- **ER cost**: Private hospital ฿5,000-50,000+ ($140-1,400+)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No for tourist visa. Long-stay visas (O-A) require health insurance with min ฿400,000 inpatient / ฿40,000 outpatient coverage
- **Key tip**: Bumrungrad treats more international patients than any hospital globally
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/thailand

#### United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪
- **System**: Government-funded public + large private sector
- **Emergency**: 998 (ambulance), 999 (police)
- **GP cost**: Private AED 200-500 ($55-135)
- **ER cost**: Private AED 500-5,000+ ($135-1,360+)
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes — mandatory for all residents
- **Key tip**: ZERO-TOLERANCE drug policy. Many common medications BANNED (codeine, tramadol, CBD)
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/united-arab-emirates

#### Singapore 🇸🇬
- **System**: Mixed public-private. Bloomberg #1 healthcare efficiency
- **Emergency**: 995
- **GP cost**: SGD 20-50 ($15-37). After-hours SGD 50-100+
- **ER cost**: Public A&E SGD 200-500+ (unsubsidised). Private SGD 500-5,000+
- **Insurance required for visa**: No for short stays, but strongly recommended. Healthcare is expensive without coverage
- **Key tip**: GP clinics on virtually every block. STRICTEST drug laws in world — death penalty for trafficking
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/singapore

#### South Korea 🇰🇷
- **System**: Universal (NHI — National Health Insurance)
- **Emergency**: 119
- **GP cost**: With NHI: KRW 5,000-20,000 ($4-15). Without: KRW 30,000-80,000 ($22-60)
- **ER cost without insurance**: KRW 100,000-1,000,000+ ($75-750)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No for short stays. Mandatory NHI enrolment for residents (6+ months). K-ETA required for visa-free entry
- **Key tip**: Seoul has world-class medical tourism infrastructure. English-speaking international clinics

#### Hong Kong 🇭🇰
- **System**: Dual public (Hospital Authority) + private
- **Emergency**: 999
- **GP cost**: Public HKD 180 ($23). Private HKD 300-800 ($38-102)
- **ER cost**: Public A&E HKD 180. Private HKD 1,000-5,000+
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. No public coverage for visitors beyond subsidised A&E
- **Key tip**: Public ER waits 4-8+ hours for non-urgent. Private hospitals are expensive but fast

#### Malaysia 🇲🇾
- **System**: Mixed public (affordable) + private
- **Emergency**: 999 or 112
- **GP cost**: Public RM 5-30 ($1-7). Private RM 35-100 ($8-22)
- **ER cost without insurance**: Public RM 50-200 ($11-44). Private RM 200-2,000+ ($44-440)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but recommended. Public healthcare available to all at very low cost
- **Key tip**: Excellent healthcare at very affordable prices. Penang is a medical tourism hub

#### Vietnam 🇻🇳
- **System**: Public + growing private sector
- **Emergency**: 115
- **GP cost**: Private VND 500,000-1,500,000 ($20-60)
- **ER cost without insurance**: VND 2,000,000-20,000,000 ($80-800)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. No public coverage for tourists
- **Key tip**: International hospitals in HCMC and Hanoi (FV Hospital, Vinmec) offer English-speaking care

- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/vietnam
#### Philippines 🇵🇭
- **System**: Mixed public (PhilHealth) + private
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Private PHP 500-1,500 ($9-27)
- **ER cost without insurance**: PHP 5,000-50,000+ ($90-900)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. PhilHealth does not cover tourists
- **Key tip**: St Luke's and Makati Medical Center in Manila are top private hospitals. Island healthcare is very limited

- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/philippines
#### Indonesia 🇮🇩
- **System**: Universal (JKN/BPJS) + private hospitals
- **Emergency**: 118 or 119
- **GP cost**: Private IDR 200,000-500,000 ($13-33)
- **ER cost without insurance**: IDR 1,000,000-10,000,000+ ($65-650)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. Medical evacuation insurance essential for remote islands
- **Key tip**: Bali has international-standard hospitals (BIMC, Siloam). Remote islands have no medical facilities

- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/indonesia
#### Taiwan 🇹🇼
- **System**: Universal single-payer (NHI). Consistently ranked top globally
- **Emergency**: 119
- **GP cost**: Uninsured NT$500-1,500 ($15-46)
- **ER cost without insurance**: NT$1,000-10,000 ($31-310)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No. NHI enrolment mandatory after 6 months residency. Visitors pay out of pocket (very affordable)
- **Key tip**: Incredibly affordable. No GP gatekeeper — walk into any specialist directly. Same-day specialist normal

#### China 🇨🇳
- **System**: Public hospitals + international clinics for foreigners
- **Emergency**: 120 (ambulance)
- **GP cost**: Public ¥50-500 ($7-70). International clinic ¥800-3,000 ($110-420)
- **ER cost without insurance**: Public ¥200-3,000 ($28-420). International $500-5,000+
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. No public coverage for foreigners. Mandatory social insurance for work visa holders
- **Key tip**: NO GP system — go to hospital outpatient departments. United Family Hospital is the gold standard for English-speaking care. VPN required (Google blocked)

#### Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
- **System**: Universal free public + private sector
- **Emergency**: 110 or 1990 (Suwa Seriya ambulance)
- **GP cost**: Public free. Private LKR 1,500-3,000 ($5-10)
- **ER cost**: Public free for everyone including tourists. Private LKR 5,000-30,000 ($17-100)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No. Public healthcare is free for everyone including tourists
- **Key tip**: Public healthcare is genuinely free for tourists. Asiri, Nawaloka hospitals in Colombo for private care

#### Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
- **System**: Government-funded + large private sector
- **Emergency**: 997 (ambulance) or 911
- **GP cost**: Private SAR 150-400 ($40-107)
- **ER cost**: Private SAR 500-5,000+ ($133-1,330+)
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes
- **Key tip**: ZERO-TOLERANCE drug policy. Alcohol prohibited. Women now have more healthcare rights

#### Qatar 🇶🇦
- **System**: Government-funded + private sector
- **Emergency**: 999
- **GP cost**: Private QAR 200-500 ($55-137)
- **ER cost**: Hamad Medical Corporation ER free initial assessment. Private QAR 500-3,000
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (for residence)
- **Key tip**: Hamad Medical Corporation provides excellent public healthcare

#### Israel 🇮🇱
- **System**: Universal (National Health Insurance Law). Mandatory health fund (kupat cholim) membership
- **Emergency**: 101 (Magen David Adom) or 112
- **GP cost**: Kupat cholim co-pay NIS 20-40 ($5-11). Private NIS 200-500 ($55-137)
- **ER cost without insurance**: NIS 500-2,000+ ($137-550+)
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes — mandatory travel medical insurance required for entry
- **Key tip**: World-class healthcare. Magen David Adom provides rapid emergency response. Check security situation before travel

#### Jordan 🇯🇴
- **System**: Mixed public-private. Growing medical tourism
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Private JOD 15-40 ($21-56)
- **ER cost without insurance**: JOD 30-200 ($42-282)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. No public coverage for tourists
- **Key tip**: Jordan is a major medical tourism destination (especially from Gulf states). King Hussein Cancer Center is world-class

#### Georgia 🇬🇪
- **System**: Privatized healthcare + universal coverage for citizens
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Private $15-40
- **ER cost without insurance**: $30-300+
- **Insurance required for visa**: No. 1-year visa-free for 95+ nationalities. Travel insurance recommended but not required
- **Key tip**: Remarkably affordable. 1-year visa-free for 95+ nationalities. Evex Hospitals and MediClub are top private networks

#### Armenia 🇦🇲
- **Emergency**: 103
- **GP cost**: Private $15-50
- **Key tip**: Healthcare affordable. English limited — Russian more useful. Evacuation to Tbilisi or Istanbul for complex cases

#### Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
- **Emergency**: 103 or 112
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **Key tip**: Best healthcare in Central Asia. Vast distances — nearest hospital may be 200+ km in steppe areas

#### Uzbekistan 🇺🇿
- **Emergency**: 103
- **GP cost**: Private $15-40
- **Key tip**: Tourist cities (Samarkand, Bukhara) have limited medical facilities. Tap water NOT safe

#### Kuwait 🇰🇼
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Private $30-80
- **Key tip**: Extreme heat (50°C+) in summer. Alcohol is illegal

#### Bahrain 🇧🇭
- **Emergency**: 999
- **GP cost**: Private $25-60
- **Key tip**: Modern healthcare. English widely spoken. More liberal than other Gulf states

#### Oman 🇴🇲
- **Emergency**: 9999
- **GP cost**: Private $25-70
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes — mandatory
- **Key tip**: Desert/wadi flash floods are a real danger. Remote areas have zero medical facilities

#### Lebanon 🇱🇧
- **Emergency**: 112 or 140 (Red Cross)
- **GP cost**: Private $30-80 (cash)
- **Key tip**: Economic crisis has devastated healthcare. Bring ALL medications. AUBMC is the best hospital

#### Maldives 🇲🇻
- **Emergency**: 102
- **GP cost**: Resort medical centre basic care. ADK Hospital (Malé) for proper treatment
- **ER cost without insurance**: $200-1,000+ at ADK. Evacuation to Singapore $25,000-60,000
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but medical evacuation insurance is essential (nearest advanced care in Sri Lanka or Singapore)
- **Key tip**: Seaplanes can't fly at night. Medical evacuation insurance is NON-NEGOTIABLE. DAN insurance essential for divers

#### Mongolia 🇲🇳
- **Emergency**: 103
- **GP cost**: SOS Medica (UB) $50-150
- **ER cost without insurance**: SOS Medica $200-1,000. Evacuation to Seoul $20,000-60,000
- **Key tip**: Outside Ulaanbaatar there is essentially NO modern healthcare. Plague is endemic — avoid marmot contact

#### Bhutan 🇧🇹
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: FREE — all public healthcare is free for tourists
- **ER cost**: FREE locally. Evacuation to Bangkok/Delhi $20,000-50,000
- **Key tip**: One of the only countries providing FREE healthcare to tourists. Altitude sickness is the #1 risk

#### Laos 🇱🇦
- **Emergency**: 1195
- **GP cost**: $10-40
- **Key tip**: Evacuate to Thailand for anything serious. Udon Thani (Thailand) is 1hr from Vientiane

#### Brunei 🇧🇳
- **Emergency**: 991
- **GP cost**: Government BND 1-5 ($0.75-3.70). Private BND 30-80 ($22-60)
- **Key tip**: Healthcare virtually free — even for tourists. Very strict drug laws — death penalty for trafficking

#### Myanmar 🇲🇲
- **Emergency**: 199
- **GP cost**: Private $15-40
- **Key tip**: Medical evacuation to Bangkok is standard for serious conditions. Political instability affects access

#### Pakistan 🇵🇰
- **System**: Mixed public-private. Major quality gap between urban and rural
- **Emergency**: 1122 (Punjab), 115 (Edhi Foundation — nationwide)
- **GP cost**: Private PKR 1,000-3,000 ($4-11). Public free but overcrowded
- **ER cost without insurance**: Private PKR 5,000-50,000+ ($18-180)
- **Key tip**: Aga Khan University Hospital (Karachi) and Shaukat Khanum (Lahore) are world-class. Edhi Foundation provides free ambulance nationwide

#### Bangladesh 🇧🇩
- **System**: Public + growing private sector
- **Emergency**: 999
- **GP cost**: Private BDT 500-2,000 ($5-18)
- **ER cost without insurance**: BDT 5,000-50,000+ ($45-450)
- **Key tip**: Apollo and United Hospital (Dhaka) offer good private care. Air quality among world's worst. Monsoon flooding Jun-Sep

#### Nepal 🇳🇵
- **System**: Developing public system + private hospitals in Kathmandu
- **Emergency**: 102 (ambulance)
- **GP cost**: Private NPR 500-2,000 ($4-15)
- **ER cost without insurance**: NPR 5,000-50,000+ ($38-380). Helicopter rescue from Everest region $5,000-20,000+
- **Key tip**: Altitude sickness is the #1 health risk. CIWEC and Nepal International Clinic (Kathmandu) for expat/tourist care. Helicopter evacuation insurance ESSENTIAL for trekking

#### Cambodia 🇰🇭
- **System**: Public + private clinics. Limited infrastructure
- **Emergency**: 119
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: $50-500+
- **Key tip**: Royal Phnom Penh Hospital for English-speaking care. Siem Reap has good tourist clinics. Evacuate to Bangkok for serious conditions

#### Timor-Leste 🇹🇱
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **Key tip**: Healthcare extremely limited. Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (Dili) is the main facility. Evacuation to Darwin (Australia) for serious conditions

#### North Korea 🇰🇵
- **System**: State-run. NO independent access for tourists
- **Emergency**: Not applicable for tourists
- **Key tip**: Medical facilities severely limited. Tourists treated at designated hospitals only. Medical evacuation extremely difficult

#### Afghanistan 🇦🇫
- **System**: Severely disrupted. Active conflict/instability
- **Emergency**: 112 (limited coverage)
- **GP cost**: Private $10-40
- **Key tip**: Extreme security risk. Healthcare infrastructure devastated. ICRC and MSF provide some services. Medical evacuation essential

#### Tajikistan 🇹🇯
- **Emergency**: 103
- **GP cost**: Private $10-30
- **Key tip**: Very limited healthcare outside Dushanbe. Altitude sickness risk in Pamir Highway region. Evacuation to Almaty or Tashkent

#### Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
- **Emergency**: 103
- **GP cost**: Private $15-40
- **Key tip**: Bishkek has adequate private clinics. Mountain rescue limited. Altitude sickness risk at high passes

#### Turkmenistan 🇹🇲
- **Emergency**: 03
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **Key tip**: Closed country — strict visa requirements. Healthcare limited. Evacuation to Istanbul or Dubai for serious conditions

#### Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
- **System**: Mixed public-private
- **Emergency**: 103 or 112
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: $50-300
- **Key tip**: Baku has modern private hospitals. English limited — Russian more useful. Evacuation to Istanbul for complex cases

#### Macau 🇲🇴
- **System**: Government-funded + private hospitals
- **Emergency**: 999
- **GP cost**: Private MOP 300-800 ($37-100)
- **ER cost**: Public ER MOP 100-200 ($12-25)
- **Key tip**: Good healthcare for a small territory. Hospital Conde de São Januário is the main public hospital. Evacuation to Hong Kong easy

---

### AFRICA

#### South Africa 🇿🇦
- **System**: Two-tier — world-class private + strained public
- **Emergency**: 10177 (ambulance), 112 (mobile)
- **GP cost**: Private R500-1,200 ($27-66). Dis-Chem/Clicks clinic R350-600 ($19-33)
- **ER cost**: Private R3,000-20,000+ ($165-1,100+). Private ambulance R3,500-8,000+
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. Private healthcare expensive without coverage. Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from endemic area
- **Key tip**: Call ER24 (084 124) or Netcare 911 (082 911) — much faster than public
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/south-africa

#### Nigeria 🇳🇬
- **System**: Mixed public-private. Underfunded public sector
- **Emergency**: 112 or 199
- **GP cost**: Private ₦10,000-30,000 ($13-39)
- **ER cost**: Private ₦50,000-500,000+ ($65-650)
- **Key tip**: Private hospitals in Lagos and Abuja offer reasonable care. Cash payment often required upfront

#### Kenya 🇰🇪
- **System**: Mixed public (NHIF) + private hospitals
- **Emergency**: 999 or 112
- **GP cost**: Private KES 2,000-5,000 ($15-38)
- **ER cost**: Private KES 10,000-100,000+ ($75-750)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. Yellow fever certificate mandatory if arriving from endemic area. AMREF Flying Doctors insurance essential for safari
- **Key tip**: Nairobi Hospital and Aga Khan University Hospital are excellent. Safari areas require AMREF Flying Doctors insurance

#### Egypt 🇪🇬
- **System**: Mixed public-private
- **Emergency**: 123 (ambulance)
- **GP cost**: Private EGP 300-1,000 ($10-33)
- **ER cost without insurance**: Private EGP 1,000-10,000+ ($33-333)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but strongly recommended. No public coverage for tourists
- **Key tip**: As-Salam International Hospital and Dar Al Fouad (Cairo) are top private facilities

- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/egypt
#### Morocco 🇲🇦
- **System**: Mixed public + growing private sector
- **Emergency**: 15 (SAMU) or 112
- **GP cost**: Private MAD 200-500 ($20-50)
- **ER cost without insurance**: Public MAD 100-500. Private MAD 500-5,000
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but recommended. Travel insurance covers private hospital costs
- **Key tip**: Clinique de la Résidence and Clinique Pasteur in Casablanca/Marrakech for private care

- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/morocco
#### Tunisia 🇹🇳
- **System**: Universal public (CNAM) + strong private sector
- **Emergency**: 190 (SAMU)
- **GP cost**: Private TND 30-80 (€9-24)
- **ER cost without insurance**: Private TND 50-300 (€15-90)
- **Insurance required for visa**: No, but recommended. Public healthcare affordable but private care preferred
- **Key tip**: Major medical tourism destination (dental, cosmetic). French is essential in healthcare

#### Ghana 🇬🇭
- **System**: National Health Insurance (NHIS) + private hospitals
- **Emergency**: 193
- **GP cost**: Private $25-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: $50-500+
- **Key tip**: English-speaking. Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Lister Hospital (Accra) are top facilities

#### Tanzania 🇹🇿
- **System**: Public + private/mission hospitals
- **Emergency**: 114 or 112
- **GP cost**: Private $30-80
- **ER cost**: $50-500+. AMREF evacuation $2,000-5,000+
- **Key tip**: AMREF Flying Doctors essential for safari/Kilimanjaro emergencies. Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam is the best facility

#### Botswana 🇧🇼
- **Emergency**: 997
- **GP cost**: Private BWP 200-500 (€15-38)
- **ER cost**: Air evacuation from safari $5,000-15,000. To Johannesburg $15,000-40,000+
- **Key tip**: Safari areas have NO medical facilities. Medical evacuation insurance is NON-NEGOTIABLE

#### Namibia 🇳🇦
- **Emergency**: 081-924 (E-Med Rescue 24)
- **GP cost**: Private N$300-700 (€15-35)
- **Key tip**: Vast and empty — you can drive for hours without any medical facility. Mediclinic Windhoek is the best hospital

#### Senegal 🇸🇳
- **Emergency**: 15 (SAMU)
- **GP cost**: Private CFA 10,000-30,000 (€15-45)
- **Key tip**: Hôpital Principal de Dakar (French military hospital) provides the best care in West Africa

#### Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
- **Emergency**: 994 (MARS ambulance)
- **GP cost**: Private $30-70
- **Key tip**: Public hospitals have essentially collapsed. MARS private ambulance is the only reliable option. Cash USD essential

#### Zambia 🇿🇲
- **Emergency**: 991
- **GP cost**: Private $25-60
- **Key tip**: Safari areas have no healthcare. SES private ambulance is the only reliable option

#### Uganda 🇺🇬
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Private $25-60
- **Key tip**: Yellow fever MANDATORY. Gorilla trekking areas extremely remote. English spoken everywhere

#### Algeria 🇩🇿
- **Emergency**: 1021 (SAMU)
- **GP cost**: Public free. Private DZD 2,000-5,000 ($15-37)
- **Key tip**: Public healthcare is free — even for tourists. French essential — English very limited

#### Madagascar 🇲🇬
- **Emergency**: 124 (SAMU)
- **GP cost**: Private $15-40
- **Key tip**: Plague is still endemic (Sep-Apr). Healthcare outside Antananarivo essentially non-existent. Evacuation to Réunion

#### Cameroon 🇨🇲
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Private $20-80
- **Key tip**: Avoid NW/SW regions (Anglophone crisis). Yellow fever REQUIRED. French essential

#### Mozambique 🇲🇿
- **Emergency**: 119
- **GP cost**: Private $30-100
- **Key tip**: Portuguese essential. Avoid Cabo Delgado province (insurgency). Evacuation to Johannesburg

#### Malawi 🇲🇼
- **Emergency**: 998
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **Key tip**: Lake Malawi carries bilharzia risk. Mwaiwathu Private Hospital (Blantyre) is the best facility

#### Gambia 🇬🇲
- **Emergency**: 116
- **GP cost**: Private $15-50
- **Key tip**: English-speaking. MRC Unit (London School of Hygiene) provides excellent care

#### Sierra Leone 🇸🇱
- **Emergency**: 999
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **Key tip**: Healthcare still recovering from Ebola. Lassa fever endemic. Evacuation insurance essential

#### Lesotho 🇱🇸
- **Emergency**: 123
- **GP cost**: $15-40
- **Key tip**: Entirely surrounded by South Africa. Cross-border evacuation to Bloemfontein (1.5hr) is standard

#### Eswatini 🇸🇿
- **Emergency**: 977
- **GP cost**: $20-50
- **Key tip**: Highest HIV prevalence in the world. Nelspruit, South Africa is 1-2hr drive for better hospitals

#### Cape Verde 🇨🇻
- **Emergency**: 130
- **GP cost**: Private ECV 2,000-5,000 ($20-50)
- **Key tip**: Tourist islands (Sal, Boa Vista) have basic healthcare only. No hyperbaric chamber — diving injuries evacuated

#### Seychelles 🇸🇨
- **Emergency**: 999 or 151
- **GP cost**: Public SCR 100-300 ($7-22). Private SCR 500-1,500 ($37-111)
- **Key tip**: English-speaking. Surprisingly good healthcare for a small island nation

#### Djibouti 🇩🇯
- **Emergency**: 351351
- **GP cost**: $30-80
- **Key tip**: French military hospital provides the best care. Extreme heat (40°C+) is the primary risk

#### Burundi 🇧🇮
- **Emergency**: 117
- **GP cost**: $10-40
- **Key tip**: Yellow fever MANDATORY. Malaria endemic. Evacuation to Nairobi essential for serious cases

#### Gabon 🇬🇦
- **Emergency**: 1300 (SAMU)
- **GP cost**: $30-80
- **Key tip**: Better healthcare than most Central African nations due to oil wealth. Yellow fever REQUIRED

#### Togo 🇹🇬
- **Emergency**: 8200
- **GP cost**: $15-50
- **Key tip**: French essential. Evacuation to Accra, Ghana is quick (2hr overland)

#### Benin 🇧🇯
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: $15-50
- **Key tip**: French essential. Yellow fever REQUIRED. Pendjari National Park area has basic health posts only

#### Ethiopia 🇪🇹
- **System**: Public + growing private sector. Underfunded
- **Emergency**: 907 (ambulance in Addis Ababa)
- **GP cost**: Private $15-50
- **ER cost without insurance**: $30-300+
- **Key tip**: Black Lion Hospital (Addis Ababa) is the main public hospital. Korean and Nordic Clinics for private care. Yellow fever certificate REQUIRED

#### Rwanda 🇷🇼
- **System**: Community-based health insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) + private
- **Emergency**: 912
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: $30-300
- **Key tip**: Fastest-improving healthcare in Africa. King Faisal Hospital (Kigali) is the best facility. Remarkably clean and safe

#### Mauritius 🇲🇺
- **System**: Universal free public healthcare + private clinics
- **Emergency**: 114 (SAMU)
- **GP cost**: Public free. Private MUR 800-2,000 ($18-44)
- **ER cost**: Public free. Private MUR 2,000-10,000 ($44-220)
- **Key tip**: Surprisingly good healthcare for a small island nation. English widely spoken. Evacuation to South Africa or India for complex cases

#### Libya 🇱🇾
- **Emergency**: 1515
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **Key tip**: Ongoing instability. Healthcare infrastructure severely degraded. Evacuation to Tunisia or Turkey essential

#### Sudan 🇸🇩
- **Emergency**: 999
- **GP cost**: Private $10-40
- **Key tip**: Active conflict since 2023. Healthcare infrastructure collapsed in many areas. MSF and ICRC provide some services

#### South Sudan 🇸🇸
- **Emergency**: 999
- **GP cost**: Private $15-50
- **Key tip**: Among the least developed healthcare systems globally. NGO/UN-provided care in many areas. Medical evacuation to Nairobi essential

#### Democratic Republic of the Congo 🇨🇩
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Private $15-50
- **ER cost without insurance**: $30-300
- **Key tip**: Ebola outbreaks occur periodically. Kinshasa has some private hospitals. Eastern DRC is a conflict zone. Yellow fever REQUIRED

#### Angola 🇦🇴
- **Emergency**: 112 or 116
- **GP cost**: Private $30-100
- **ER cost without insurance**: $100-1,000+
- **Key tip**: Expensive due to oil economy. Clínica Sagrada Esperança (Luanda) is the top private hospital. Portuguese essential

#### Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) 🇨🇮
- **Emergency**: 185 (SAMU)
- **GP cost**: Private CFA 10,000-30,000 ($16-48)
- **Key tip**: Polyclinique Internationale Sainte Anne-Marie (Abidjan) is the best private facility. French essential. Yellow fever REQUIRED

#### Mali 🇲🇱
- **Emergency**: 15 (SAMU)
- **GP cost**: Private $15-40
- **Key tip**: Security risk in northern/central regions. Healthcare limited outside Bamako. French essential. Yellow fever REQUIRED

#### Niger 🇳🇪
- **Emergency**: 15 (SAMU)
- **GP cost**: Private $10-30
- **Key tip**: Extreme heat (50°C+). Healthcare very limited. Evacuation to Niamey or Ouagadougou. Yellow fever REQUIRED

#### Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Private $10-30
- **Key tip**: Security deteriorating. Healthcare limited outside Ouagadougou. French essential. Yellow fever REQUIRED

#### Chad 🇹🇩
- **Emergency**: 2251-4242
- **GP cost**: Private $10-40
- **Key tip**: Among world's least developed healthcare. Evacuation to N'Djamena or Cameroon. French and Arabic spoken

#### Somalia 🇸🇴
- **Emergency**: 888
- **GP cost**: Private $10-40
- **Key tip**: Extremely dangerous. Healthcare virtually non-existent. Mogadishu has a few private clinics. Medical evacuation to Nairobi

#### Eritrea 🇪🇷
- **Emergency**: 114
- **GP cost**: $10-30
- **Key tip**: Very isolated country. Healthcare limited. Evacuation to Addis Ababa or Dubai. Exit visas required

#### Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Private $30-80
- **Key tip**: Oil wealth but limited healthcare infrastructure. Evacuation to Douala (Cameroon) or Spain. Spanish and French spoken

#### Mauritania 🇲🇷
- **Emergency**: 101
- **GP cost**: Private $10-40
- **Key tip**: Desert country — vast distances. Healthcare very basic outside Nouakchott. French and Arabic spoken

#### Liberia 🇱🇷
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Private $15-50
- **Key tip**: Healthcare still recovering from civil war and Ebola. English-speaking. Evacuation to Accra (Ghana)

#### Guinea 🇬🇳
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Private $10-40
- **Key tip**: Ebola history. Healthcare limited. Evacuation to Dakar (Senegal). French essential. Yellow fever REQUIRED

#### Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼
- **Emergency**: 119
- **GP cost**: Private $10-30
- **Key tip**: Among world's poorest healthcare systems. Portuguese spoken. Evacuation to Dakar (Senegal)

#### Central African Republic 🇨🇫
- **Emergency**: 117
- **GP cost**: Private $10-40
- **Key tip**: Active conflict in many regions. Healthcare extremely limited. UN/NGO-provided care. French essential

#### Comoros 🇰🇲
- **Emergency**: 773
- **GP cost**: Private $15-40
- **Key tip**: Very basic healthcare on all islands. Evacuation to Mayotte (French — better facilities) or Madagascar

---

### MIDDLE EAST

#### Egypt 🇪🇬 — See Africa section above
#### Jordan 🇯🇴 — See Asia section above
#### Israel 🇮🇱 — See Asia section above
#### Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 — See Asia section above
#### UAE 🇦🇪 — See Asia section above
#### Qatar 🇶🇦 — See Asia section above
#### Kuwait 🇰🇼 — See Asia section above
#### Bahrain 🇧🇭 — See Asia section above
#### Oman 🇴🇲 — See Asia section above
#### Lebanon 🇱🇧 — See Asia section above

#### Iran 🇮🇷
- **System**: Universal public + large private sector
- **Emergency**: 115
- **GP cost**: Private $10-40
- **ER cost without insurance**: $50-300
- **Key tip**: Sanctions complicate insurance/payments. Excellent doctors trained in Western institutions. Cash essential. No US/UK bank cards work

#### Iraq 🇮🇶
- **System**: Public + private hospitals in major cities
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60
- **ER cost without insurance**: $50-500
- **Key tip**: Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah) has better healthcare and security than rest of country. Evacuation to Amman or Istanbul

#### Syria 🇸🇾
- **Emergency**: 110
- **GP cost**: Private $10-30
- **Key tip**: Ongoing conflict has devastated healthcare. Many hospitals destroyed. WHO and ICRC provide some services. Travel strongly advised against

#### Yemen 🇾🇪
- **Emergency**: 199
- **GP cost**: Private $10-30
- **Key tip**: Active conflict — humanitarian crisis. Healthcare system collapsed. MSF and ICRC provide some services. Travel strongly advised against

#### Palestine 🇵🇸
- **Emergency**: 101
- **GP cost**: Private $20-50
- **Key tip**: Gaza: healthcare infrastructure devastated. West Bank: basic private clinics available. Complex political and security situation

---

### OCEANIA

#### Australia 🇦🇺
- **System**: Universal (Medicare) with strong private sector
- **Emergency**: 000
- **Emergency response**: 7-15 min metro, 15-45+ min regional, hours in remote outback
- **GP cost**: Bulk-billed (free) clinics declining. Standard $60-120 AUD gap fee
- **ER cost without insurance**: $500-2,000+ AUD. Ambulance $400-3,000+ (NOT in Medicare in most states)
- **Insurance required for visa**: Yes (OSHC mandatory for student visa)
- **Key tip**: Ambulance cover essential — only free in QLD and TAS. Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements with UK, Ireland, NZ
- **More**: https://glomoassist.com/healthcare/australia

#### New Zealand 🇳🇿
- **System**: Public healthcare + ACC (covers ALL accident injuries for everyone including tourists)
- **Emergency**: 111
- **GP cost**: NZD 55-80 ($33-48) casual patient. ACC accident visit: FREE
- **ER cost**: Accident-related: FREE (ACC). Medical emergency NZD 300-1,000+
- **Insurance required for visa**: No for short stays. ACC covers all accidental injuries for everyone (free). Medical insurance recommended for non-accident illness
- **Key tip**: ACC covers ALL accidental injuries for tourists — skiing injury, car crash = FREE. Non-accident illness NOT covered

#### Fiji 🇫🇯
- **Emergency**: 911 or 9170
- **GP cost**: Public FJD 5-30 ($2-14). Private FJD 80-250 ($36-113)
- **ER cost without insurance**: FJD 20-100 ($9-45). Evacuation to NZ: $30,000-80,000+
- **Key tip**: English widely spoken. Outer islands have nursing stations only. Medevac insurance essential

#### Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬
- **Emergency**: 000 or 112
- **GP cost**: Private $50-150 AUD
- **ER cost without insurance**: $500-5,000+ AUD
- **Key tip**: Healthcare virtually non-existent outside Port Moresby. Malaria endemic even in urban areas. Evacuation to Cairns

#### Samoa 🇼🇸
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: Private $30-80 NZD
- **Key tip**: Only one major hospital. Nearest advanced care is Auckland, NZ

#### Tonga 🇹🇴
- **Emergency**: 911 or 933
- **GP cost**: Minimal at public hospital
- **Key tip**: No advanced diagnostic equipment. Medevac insurance essential — Auckland is nearest quality care

#### Vanuatu 🇻🇺
- **Emergency**: 112
- **GP cost**: Private $30-100 AUD
- **Key tip**: Malaria present on most islands. No specialist care in-country. Evacuation to Nouméa or Brisbane

#### Solomon Islands 🇸🇧
- **Emergency**: 999 or 911
- **GP cost**: Private $20-60 AUD
- **Key tip**: Malaria highly endemic. Healthcare among most limited in the Pacific. Medevac to Brisbane

#### Palau 🇵🇼
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: $50-150 USD
- **Key tip**: Recompression chamber available for divers. No specialist surgery — evacuation to Guam or Manila

#### Micronesia (Federated States) 🇫🇲
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: $30-80
- **Key tip**: Four widely scattered islands — healthcare basic on all. Evacuation to Guam or Honolulu

#### Kiribati 🇰🇮
- **Emergency**: 994
- **GP cost**: $10-40
- **Key tip**: One of the most remote nations on Earth. Tarawa has basic hospital. Evacuation to Fiji or Honolulu

#### Marshall Islands 🇲🇭
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: $20-60
- **Key tip**: US-affiliated — some US healthcare standards apply. Majuro Hospital is the main facility. Evacuation to Honolulu

#### Nauru 🇳🇷
- **Emergency**: 110
- **GP cost**: Public free. Private limited
- **Key tip**: World's smallest republic. One hospital (RON Hospital). Evacuation to Brisbane for anything complex

#### Tuvalu 🇹🇻
- **Emergency**: 911
- **GP cost**: $10-30
- **Key tip**: One of the most remote nations. Princess Margaret Hospital (Funafuti) has basic care. Evacuation to Fiji

#### New Caledonia 🇳🇨
- **System**: French healthcare system applies
- **Emergency**: 15 (SAMU) or 112
- **GP cost**: €30-60 (French pricing)
- **ER cost**: €50-300
- **Key tip**: French territory — good healthcare by Pacific standards. Médipôle (Nouméa) is the main hospital. EHIC NOT valid

#### French Polynesia 🇵🇫
- **System**: French healthcare system applies
- **Emergency**: 15 (SAMU)
- **GP cost**: €30-80
- **Key tip**: French territory. Tahiti has good hospital. Outer islands have basic dispensaries only. Evacuation to Tahiti or NZ

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is GloMo Assist?
GloMo Assist is a healthcare navigation platform that helps travellers, expats, students, and families understand healthcare systems across 170+ countries. Get emergency numbers, GP access info, costs, and insurance guidance before you travel.

### Is GloMo Assist free to use?
Yes, GloMo Assist offers a free tier that lets you explore healthcare information for any country. Premium features include personalised dashboards, saved countries, and AI-powered healthcare assistance.

### What countries does GloMo Assist cover?
GloMo Assist covers over 170 countries and territories worldwide, with detailed healthcare guides for 20+ of the most popular destinations including Ireland, UK, USA, Spain, France, Germany, Thailand, Japan, Australia, and more.

### How accurate is the healthcare information?
Healthcare information is regularly reviewed and updated. However, healthcare systems change frequently, so users should always verify critical information with official local sources. GloMo Assist provides guidance, not medical advice.

### Can GloMo Assist help me find a doctor abroad?
GloMo Assist provides information on how to access doctors and GPs in each country, including typical costs and what to expect. It does not directly book appointments but guides you on the local process.

### Does GloMo Assist provide medical advice?
No. GloMo Assist provides healthcare system information and guidance only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for medical concerns.

### What is the AI assistant Alex?
Alex is an AI-powered healthcare assistant that can answer questions about healthcare systems in specific countries. You can ask about emergency numbers, doctor access, costs, insurance requirements, and more.

### How do I prepare for healthcare abroad?
GloMo Assist provides personalised travel health checklists that cover vaccinations, insurance documents, prescriptions, emergency contacts, and other preparations specific to your destination.

### What is Gewardz Health?
Gewardz Health is the parent company behind GloMo Assist. It provides local healthcare access services across Ireland, UK, and Europe, connecting people with GPs, specialists, and health services. Membership (€24.99/month) includes unlimited same-day online doctor access 7 days a week, with household family members included at no extra cost.

### Can I compare healthcare systems between countries?
Yes, GloMo Assist offers a country comparison feature that lets you compare healthcare systems side-by-side, including costs, system type, emergency services, and insurance requirements.

---

## Key Features

- **Interactive World Map**: Click any country to see healthcare info instantly
- **AI Healthcare Assistant (Alex)**: Country-specific healthcare Q&A
- **Travel Health Checklists**: Personalised trip preparation
- **Country Comparison**: Side-by-side healthcare system comparison
- **Healthcare Guides**: In-depth written guides on travel health topics

---

## Regional Healthcare Differences

Some countries have significant sub-national healthcare variations that affect travellers. The following details cover key differences by state, province, or nation.

### United Kingdom — Healthcare by Nation

The UK has four separate NHS systems with important differences:

#### England
- **Prescriptions**: £9.90 per item (most expensive in UK). Over-60s and under-16s exempt
- **GP access**: Severe shortage — 2-4 week waits common. NHS 111 for urgent advice
- **ER cost**: A&E free. Overseas visitors charged 150% NHS tariff for admission
- **Ambulance**: Free via 999
- **Key difference**: Only UK nation that charges for prescriptions

#### Scotland
- **Prescriptions**: ALL FREE — no charge for any prescription
- **GP access**: Slightly better than England. NHS 24 (111) for urgent advice
- **ER cost**: A&E free. Rural areas may require air ambulance
- **Ambulance**: Free
- **Key difference**: Free prescriptions, free eye tests, free personal care for elderly

#### Wales
- **Prescriptions**: ALL FREE — no charge for any prescription
- **GP access**: Similar pressures to England. NHS 111 Wales for urgent advice
- **ER cost**: A&E free
- **Ambulance**: Free
- **Key difference**: Free prescriptions since 2007. Fewer private healthcare options than England

#### Northern Ireland
- **Prescriptions**: ALL FREE — no charge for any prescription
- **GP access**: Long waits. GP out-of-hours varies by Health Trust area
- **ER cost**: A&E free
- **Ambulance**: Free
- **Key difference**: Free prescriptions. Cross-border healthcare with Republic of Ireland available under EU/CTA rules
- **Language**: English. Irish and Ulster Scots in some areas

### United States — Healthcare by State

US healthcare costs and rules vary dramatically by state. There is no universal coverage for visitors.

#### California
- **ER cost**: $3,000-$15,000+ (among highest in US)
- **GP cost**: $200-$400 per visit
- **Ambulance**: $2,000-$5,000+
- **Key differences**: Strong surprise billing protections (AB 72). Medi-Cal covers low-income residents. Large academic medical centres in LA, SF, San Diego
- **Tip**: Use Covered California marketplace. Many community health centres offer sliding-scale fees

#### Florida
- **ER cost**: $2,500-$10,000+
- **GP cost**: $150-$300
- **Ambulance**: $800-$3,000
- **Key differences**: No state income tax but limited safety-net healthcare. High uninsured rate. Heat-related illness and tropical disease risks
- **Tip**: Tourist areas (Orlando, Miami) have walk-in clinics accustomed to international visitors

#### New York
- **ER cost**: $3,500-$15,000+ (NYC among most expensive in US)
- **GP cost**: $200-$500 (Manhattan premium)
- **Ambulance**: $1,200-$3,500 in NYC
- **Key differences**: Strong patient protections. Essential Plan available for low-income residents. Extensive public hospital system (NYC Health + Hospitals)
- **Tip**: NYC has 24/7 urgent care clinics in most neighbourhoods — far cheaper than ER

#### Texas
- **ER cost**: $2,000-$8,000+
- **GP cost**: $100-$250
- **Ambulance**: $800-$2,500
- **Key differences**: Did not expand Medicaid — highest uninsured rate in US. Fewer consumer protections. Large distances between hospitals in rural areas
- **Tip**: Major medical centres in Houston (Texas Medical Center — largest in world), Dallas, San Antonio

#### Hawaii
- **ER cost**: $3,000-$12,000+
- **GP cost**: $150-$350
- **Ambulance**: $1,500-$4,000 (inter-island air ambulance $15,000-$50,000+)
- **Key differences**: Employer mandate for health insurance (only US state). Higher costs due to island logistics. Limited specialist access on outer islands
- **Tip**: Ensure travel insurance covers inter-island medical evacuation

#### Massachusetts
- **ER cost**: $3,000-$12,000+
- **GP cost**: $200-$400
- **Ambulance**: $1,200-$3,000
- **Key differences**: Pioneered universal coverage (2006). Lowest uninsured rate in US. World-class hospitals (Mass General, Brigham, Dana-Farber)
- **Tip**: Excellent healthcare quality but among highest costs nationally

### Canada — Healthcare by Province

Canada's universal Medicare covers residents only. Coverage rules vary significantly by province.

#### Ontario
- **ER cost**: CAD $500-$3,000+ (uninsured)
- **GP cost**: CAD $100-$300 (walk-in, uninsured)
- **Ambulance**: CAD $240 (residents), $2,000+ (non-residents)
- **Student coverage**: International students NOT covered by OHIP — must buy private insurance (UHIP ~$756/year)
- **Language**: English. French services available in designated areas
- **Key difference**: 3-month waiting period for new residents before OHIP coverage begins

#### Quebec
- **ER cost**: CAD $500-$2,500+ (uninsured)
- **GP cost**: CAD $100-$250 (walk-in, uninsured)
- **Ambulance**: CAD $125 flat fee (residents). $400+ (non-residents)
- **Student coverage**: International students NOT covered by RAMQ unless from a country with reciprocal agreement (France, Belgium, etc.)
- **Language**: French is the ONLY official language. Healthcare is primarily delivered in French. Bill 96 strengthened French-language requirements
- **Key difference**: French-language healthcare system. Most hospital staff speak some English in Montreal but French is default everywhere else. Bring a French-speaking companion or use translation apps outside Montreal

#### British Columbia
- **ER cost**: CAD $500-$3,000+ (uninsured)
- **GP cost**: CAD $100-$250 (walk-in, uninsured)
- **Ambulance**: CAD $80 (residents), $530+ (non-residents)
- **Student coverage**: International students on study permits ARE eligible for MSP after 3-month waiting period
- **Language**: English
- **Key difference**: Students eligible for provincial coverage (unlike Ontario/Quebec). Severe GP shortage — many residents don't have a family doctor

#### Alberta
- **ER cost**: CAD $500-$3,000+ (uninsured)
- **GP cost**: CAD $100-$250 (walk-in, uninsured)
- **Ambulance**: CAD $250-$385 (residents), $1,000+ (non-residents)
- **Student coverage**: International students on study permits ARE eligible for AHCIP
- **Language**: English
- **Key difference**: Students eligible for provincial coverage. No provincial sales tax — medication may be slightly cheaper

### Spain — Healthcare by Autonomous Community

Spain's healthcare is managed by 17 autonomous communities with regional variations.

#### Catalonia (Barcelona)
- **GP cost**: Public free (EHIC/registered). Private €50-120
- **ER cost**: Public Urgencias free. Private €100-400
- **Language**: Catalan is co-official with Spanish. Healthcare may default to Catalan. English available in tourist areas
- **Key difference**: CatSalut runs the regional health service. High-quality infrastructure. Tourist clinics in Barcelona accept travel insurance with direct billing

#### Andalusia (Seville, Málaga, Costa del Sol)
- **GP cost**: Public free. Private €40-80
- **ER cost**: Public free. Private €80-250
- **Language**: Spanish. Limited English outside major tourist areas
- **Key difference**: SAS manages regional healthcare. Many expat-focused private clinics on Costa del Sol. Longer wait times for specialists vs northern Spain

#### Madrid
- **GP cost**: Public free. Private €60-120
- **ER cost**: Public free. Private €100-400
- **Language**: Spanish. Good English availability in private healthcare
- **Key difference**: SERMAS runs regional healthcare. Highest concentration of private hospitals in Spain. Generally shorter wait times than other regions

#### Basque Country
- **GP cost**: Public free. Private €50-100
- **ER cost**: Public free. Private €100-300
- **Language**: Basque (Euskara) co-official with Spanish. Healthcare available in both languages
- **Key difference**: Osakidetza runs its own health service. Consistently ranked best healthcare quality in Spain

### Australia — Healthcare by State/Territory

Australia's Medicare covers residents and visitors from 11 RHCA countries. State variations affect ambulance costs and remote access.

#### New South Wales (Sydney)
- **ER cost**: AUD $500-$2,000+ (uninsured)
- **GP cost**: AUD $60-100. Many bulk-billing GPs (free for Medicare/RHCA)
- **Ambulance**: AUD $401 + $3.62/km (NOT covered by Medicare). Ambulance cover strongly recommended
- **Key difference**: Ambulance NOT free — annual ambulance cover ~$50/year recommended

#### Victoria (Melbourne)
- **ER cost**: AUD $500-$2,000+ (uninsured)
- **GP cost**: AUD $60-100. Good bulk-billing availability
- **Ambulance**: FREE for all Victorian residents (funded by state). Visitors should check cover
- **Key difference**: Only state with free ambulance for residents. Excellent public hospital system

#### Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns)
- **ER cost**: AUD $500-$2,000+
- **GP cost**: AUD $50-90
- **Ambulance**: Covered by state levy for QLD residents. Non-residents AUD $1,000+
- **Key difference**: Tropical health risks (box jellyfish, crocodiles in north). Royal Flying Doctor Service covers remote areas

#### Northern Territory (Darwin, Alice Springs)
- **ER cost**: AUD $500-$2,000+
- **GP cost**: AUD $50-80 (limited availability in remote areas)
- **Ambulance**: St John Ambulance NT — membership recommended
- **Key difference**: MOST remote healthcare in Australia. Flying doctor and telehealth essential. Extreme heat health risks. Crocodile and venomous animal risks. Nearest major hospital may be 1,000+ km away

### India — Healthcare by State

India has the widest regional healthcare variation of any country. Kerala has near-universal coverage; rural Rajasthan may be 4 hours from the nearest hospital.

#### Delhi NCR
- **ER cost**: ₹500-₹5,000 ($6-$60) public. ₹5,000-₹50,000 ($60-$600) private
- **GP cost**: ₹500-₹2,000 ($6-$24) private. Public dispensaries free
- **Ambulance**: Government 102/108 free. Private ₹2,000-₹5,000. Private ambulance apps (Medulance, StanPlus) more reliable
- **Key differences**: Highest density of world-class private hospitals. AIIMS is India's top public hospital. Medical tourism hub. Severe air pollution Oct-Feb causes respiratory issues
- **Language**: Hindi and English widely spoken. Private hospital doctors speak excellent English

#### Kerala
- **ER cost**: ₹200-₹2,000 ($2-$24) public. ₹3,000-₹30,000 ($36-$360) private
- **GP cost**: ₹300-₹1,000 ($4-$12) private. Public PHCs free
- **Key differences**: Best public healthcare in India. Highest life expectancy. Strong Ayurvedic medicine tradition. Dengue/chikungunya risk during monsoon (Jun-Sep)
- **Language**: Malayalam primary. English widely understood. Hindi less common than other states

#### Goa
- **ER cost**: ₹500-₹3,000 ($6-$36) public. ₹5,000-₹30,000 ($60-$360) private
- **GP cost**: ₹400-₹1,500 ($5-$18) private
- **Key differences**: Motorbike accidents are #1 cause of tourist hospitalisation. Complex cases transferred to Mumbai (10-12 hours). Ensure insurance covers motorbike/scooter accidents
- **Language**: Konkani, English and Hindi widely spoken in tourist areas

#### Maharashtra (Mumbai)
- **ER cost**: ₹500-₹5,000 ($6-$60) public. ₹5,000-₹50,000+ ($60-$600+) private
- **GP cost**: ₹500-₹2,000 ($6-$24) private
- **Key differences**: Some of India's best and most expensive private hospitals. Extreme overcrowding in public hospitals. Mumbai traffic delays ambulances 30-60 min. Monsoon flooding (Jul-Sep) can make hospitals inaccessible
- **Language**: Marathi official. Hindi and English widely spoken in Mumbai

#### Tamil Nadu (Chennai)
- **ER cost**: ₹300-₹3,000 ($4-$36) public. ₹3,000-₹40,000 ($36-$480) private
- **GP cost**: ₹300-₹1,500 ($4-$18) private
- **Key differences**: Chennai is India's #1 medical tourism city — 40%+ of India's health tourists come here. Apollo Hospitals founded here. Private care 60-80% less than Western prices
- **Language**: Tamil primary. English widely spoken in hospitals. Hindi NOT widely spoken — use English instead

#### Rajasthan
- **ER cost**: ₹300-₹2,000 ($4-$24) public. ₹3,000-₹25,000 ($36-$300) private
- **GP cost**: ₹300-₹1,000 ($4-$12) private
- **Key differences**: Huge gap between Jaipur (good hospitals) and desert areas (minimal facilities). Desert regions — nearest hospital may be 2-4 hours. Heat stroke serious risk — temperatures reach 45-50°C Apr-Jun
- **Tip**: Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover essential for desert itineraries
- **Language**: Hindi and Rajasthani dialects. English limited outside Jaipur tourist areas

### Brazil — Healthcare by Region

Brazil's SUS (public system) is constitutionally free for everyone including visitors. Quality varies enormously by region.

#### São Paulo
- **ER cost**: SUS free (long waits). Private R$500-R$5,000 ($100-$1,000)
- **GP cost**: SUS free. Private R$300-R$800 ($60-$160)
- **Key differences**: Albert Einstein and Sírio-Libanês ranked among best in Latin America. SUS free but 6-12 hour ER waits. Many private hospitals have English-speaking international patient departments
- **Language**: Portuguese only. English very limited. International-tier private hospitals have English staff

#### Rio de Janeiro
- **ER cost**: SUS free. Private R$500-R$4,000 ($100-$800)
- **GP cost**: SUS free. Private R$250-R$600 ($50-$120)
- **Key differences**: Public hospital system in recurring crisis. Tourist areas have private clinics for visitors. Beach-related incidents (drowning, sunburn) very common. Carnival (Feb) strains emergency services
- **Language**: Portuguese only. Very limited English even in tourist areas

#### Bahia (Salvador)
- **ER cost**: SUS free. Private R$400-R$3,000 ($80-$600)
- **GP cost**: SUS free. Private R$200-R$500 ($40-$100)
- **Key differences**: Salvador has decent hospitals; coastal towns very limited. Chapada Diamantina trekking injuries require evacuation to Salvador (4-6 hours). Higher tropical disease risk than southern Brazil
- **Language**: Portuguese only. Almost no English

#### Northeast (Recife, Fortaleza, Natal)
- **ER cost**: SUS free. Private R$300-R$2,500 ($60-$500)
- **GP cost**: SUS free. Private R$150-R$400 ($30-$80)
- **Key differences**: Weakest healthcare of Brazil's tourist regions. Beach towns — nearest hospital may be 2-4 hours. Highest Zika/dengue risk in Brazil. Fernando de Noronha — basic clinic only, evacuation to Recife for serious conditions
- **Tip**: Travel insurance with medical evacuation absolutely essential

### Italy — Healthcare by Region

Italy has a dramatic north-south healthcare quality divide. EHIC/GHIC covers EU/EEA visitors for public care.

#### Lombardy (Milan)
- **ER cost**: Free with EHIC. Non-EU: €100-€500. Private €200-€800
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC/SSN. Private €80-€150. Guardia Medica (out-of-hours GP) free
- **Key differences**: Best-funded healthcare in Italy. Shorter specialist waits (weeks vs months in south). San Raffaele, Humanitas internationally renowned. Good English in major Milan hospitals
- **Prescriptions**: EHIC covers with €2-€5 copay

#### Lazio (Rome)
- **ER cost**: Free with EHIC. Non-EU: €100-€500. Private €200-€700
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC/SSN. Private €60-€120
- **Key differences**: Large hospital network but bureaucratically slow. White-code (non-urgent) ER visits incur €25-€50 copay. Tourist medical centres near Vatican and Colosseum offer English-speaking GPs
- **Tip**: Rome Doctor (romedoctor.com) offers English-speaking house calls for tourists

#### Tuscany (Florence, Pisa, Siena)
- **ER cost**: Free with EHIC. Non-EU: €100-€400. Private €150-€500
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC/SSN. Private €50-€100
- **Key differences**: Well-run public system — above Italian average. Rural Chianti/Val d'Orcia — nearest hospital 30-60 min. Misericordia volunteer ambulances unique to Tuscany
- **Tip**: In rural Tuscany, identify nearest Pronto Soccorso (ER) before arriving

#### Campania (Naples, Amalfi Coast)
- **ER cost**: Free with EHIC. Non-EU: €80-€400. Private €150-€600
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC/SSN. Private €40-€80
- **Key differences**: Significant quality gap vs northern Italy. Amalfi Coast — narrow roads make ambulance access extremely difficult, helicopter evacuation may be needed. Capri/Ischia — basic clinics only, evacuation to Naples for serious conditions
- **Tip**: Ensure insurance covers helicopter evacuation for Amalfi Coast and islands
- **Language**: Italian and Neapolitan dialect. Very limited English

#### Sicily
- **ER cost**: Free with EHIC. Non-EU: €80-€300. Private €100-€400
- **GP cost**: Free with EHIC/SSN. Private €40-€70
- **Key differences**: Lowest-ranked healthcare in Italy alongside Calabria. Aeolian Islands — basic first aid only, helicopter evacuation to Messina/Catania. Summer tourist influx strains limited resources
- **Tip**: Island evacuation insurance essential for Aeolian/Egadi islands
- **Language**: Italian and Sicilian dialect. Very limited English

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